Paramahansa Yogananda - Self-Realization Fellowship

This is a short video of Self -Realization Fellowship Mother Center founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1926.

I visited the Mother center in June of this year to meet with a nun from the Church. The peaceful grounds are always an attraction to me as well. It provides a sanctuary for contemplation and silent moments.

I always visit the mango tree that was planted by Yogananda as it brings back memories of my childhood.

"You are in that consciousness - such is the grace and glory of the Lord and he will explain to you whatever you haven't been able to understand , everything you want to know" Paramahansa Yogananda

Women of inspiration

The Woman Conference 2010 - Tuesday, October, 2010

A film made for Maria Shriver, the First Lady of California

"Through every achievement I've had, for every triumph,

I know I was never alone. I trust in the omniscient mystery

and certainty of the universal force that is divine. I call it

GOD. I know if you ask, you shall receive. Anytime you feel

abandoned or depressed and alone and you are waiting on

God to save you, you are waiting on a miracle. A miracle is

always waiting on you". Oprah Winfrey

Mc1

Somewhere in time

Image by Cher Lim

~Mystical scent fills the air,

Whispering angels,

singing an Autumn prayer.~

I love classic movies because of where they take me. A time

when movies were made with an idealistic regard and responsibility

towards society. A gentler past from which I could learn. This movie,

stays with me especially the music by a genius composer, John Barry.

By MC1

Origins of the Thanksgiving Holiday - November 25, 2010

What does Thanksgiving represent?

To be honest, I did not know the true history behind this festival which is celebrated in North America until I did some research today.

More than two centuries ago in September 1620, a group of people called the "Puritans" who were in conflict with the the church of England regarding their faith, left Plymouth to set sail in the Mayflower. Seeking a new home where they could practice their faith freely, they finally arrived in North America. The Wampanoag Indian who then occupied parts of what are now the states of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, including Martha's Vineyard and adjacent islands, welcomed the pilgrims to set up colonies and taught them how to grow crops. In November 1621, after the first harvest, Governor William Bradford requested a feast to be celebrated in gratitude to God for answering their prayers and to Massasoit, Chief of the Wampanoag and the his people for giving them a home.

President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day in the year 1863 after Mrs. Sarah Joseph Hale, the editor of Godey's book, wrote a number of articles in favor of that day being a national holiday.

Today many Americans enjoy the most traditional part of this harvest festival, which is a roasted turkey with stuffings. It is served with a gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans casserole and cranberry sauce . For dessert, there is the pumpkin or sweet potato pie and apple cider. Whether turkey was a customary dish when the Pilgrims hosted this feast remains unclear. I am not big on meat but who knows, I might be in luck and find a tofukey (tofu turkey) at the American club tonight.

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Based on a prayer of Julian of Norwich (1342-1416)

Holy and gracious God, we give thanks for the gift of this gathering: for the food before us; the loving hands that have prepared it and the blessings we share together. Kindle our hearts and awaken hope that we may know you always as our companion along the way. Forgive us where we have fallen short with each other and with ourselves; heal our wounds, restore our health, strengthen our souls and help us to be ever mindful the needs of those near us who have so little. Teach us to believe that by your grace all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well. Amen

And so this Thanksgiving, let us all remember that we have to be grateful for both great and small blessings. When we stop to consider all the ways our lives have been blessed, we can be thankful for what we have.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

MC1

Joe McNally - Lights up!

When it comes to photography, it is all about light.

If there is anyone who is a master of lights, I think that would

be Joe McNally, photographer, journalist and lighting

extraordinaire.

He spent more than thirty years behind the lens and was voted

as one of the 30 most influential photographers of the decade.

He has graced the pages of Life and Sports Illustrated, Time,

Newsweek, Fortune , New York, Entertainment Weekly and

many more publications. He currently has an ongoing 23 year

contribution to National Geographic.

McNally knows how to talk about it, shape it, color it and direct it.

Most importantly, he knows how to create it using hot shoe flashes.

The following from McNally's own words: "I am a visual storyteller. I

really believe in the importance of the mission of the photographer. It

is to lay down a visual record of our times. Just as they did on cave walls

thousands and thousands of years ago. We record what we see, what we

feel and what happens in our lives and the lives of those around us. Even

though the tools we use are highly evolved and technologically complex,

what we do with them is absolutely basic and central to our core as a

human being. We tell stories."

In the last two years, McNally has written two books:

The Moment it Clicks - Understanding photography and the art of making

great photos at a level you never thought possible.

The Hot shoe Dairies - This new book is a virtual how- to get big lights

from small flashes.

Four years ago when I was studying photography in Los Angeles, I learnt

how to use strobes and continous lighting. Much to my disappointment I

was unable to widen my practical knowledge. Despite my setback, I like

to still think that nothing is ever too late.

So recently I decided to do a refresher's tutorial course in preparation for

Joe McNally's timely visit to Singapore for his Asian tour on January of 2011.

MC1

Photojournalist - Steve McCurry

Steve Mc Curry, an incredible photographer and humanitarian

visited Singapore in June of 2009. Unfortunately, I missed the

opportunity of attending his workshops as I was traveling. However,

I was able to see his first solo exhibition at the Asian Civilizations

Museum, upon my return to Singapore. The title of the exhibition

was called "The Unguarded Moment" which is also the title of his

new book. There were also some unpublished, never before photographs

captured throughout his career included in the exhibition.

Steve McCurry

Born in Philidelphia, Steve's career has taken him into war zones

including Iran-Iraq war, the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia,

Beirut, Cambodia, the Philippines and the gulf war.

"Most of my images are grounded in people," he says. "I look for the

unguarded moment, the essential soul peeking out, experience etched

on a person's face. I try to convey what is like to be that person, a person

caught in a broader landscape that you could call the human condition."

Sharbat Gula - taken in a refugee camp in 1984

The most recognizable image in the history of National Geographic

magazine is of an anonymous 13 years old Afgan girl. Her penetrating

green eyes evokes such a deep emotion that it touches the soul.

McCurry searched in vain for Sharbat after the publication of her

image on National Geographic. However, his persistence led him

to finally finding her some 17 years later. Sadly, the glow in her eyes

have disappeared. The intensity in her facial expressions reveals the

hardships and struggles she has to endure in her life.

You will find some of the portraits here in Mc Curry's book "Looking East".

There is this sense of sadness, helplessness, a deep fear... .. reflected in their

eyes that floods me with empathy and disillusionments. Yet, despite all of

life adversity, even in the depths of darkness, one continues to hope.

To learn more about Mc Curry check out his website and blog.

McCurry's books are available on Amazon.com

MC1

A new Dawn

After a long time of being conspicuously absent from blogging, I am ecstatic to say that I am back and with a more positive attitude towards life.Someone said to me that we can only identify true love when we have found ourselves. So I ventured forth into an odyssey of self discovery that has taken me to many places, leaving me bewildered until that fateful day when I decided to join in a 4 days conversion experience retreat. Little did I know that November 4th will be a turning point in my life.Nothing could be possible without God, who's eternal and infinite love has guided me deeper into the awareness of my true self. I have learnt to look through the lens of positivity, accepting changes in life and embrace each new turn as a renewal rather an end. Most importantly, I have discovered the true meaning of unconditional love, through his words."Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records 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 13:4
Song by Chris Tomlin

My group at the Conversion Experience Retreat at CSC (4-8th November, 2010). With Archbishop, the most Reverend Monsignor Nicholas Chia and Father William Goh, spiritual director of C.S.C.
Recently, I became inspired by Patrick Notley, who complied some extraordinary photographs on a slide, manifesting a universal language called love. Likewise, my quest is to capture and spread love through the lens. Therefore, I am planning to resume studies in photography and/or video/film in 2011.
Therapy through Love

View more presentations from Roger Huffman.

"Pride is our greatest obstacle and it can be conquered by humility" Father William Goh

MC1

The Assumption of the Blessed Mother Sunday, August 15, 2010

Our Lady of Lourdes - At the Grotto in Lourdes, France. 2010

It is very rare to celebrate the assumption on a Sunday.

In Mother Mary's glorious assumption, we celebrate the fulfillment of our destiny and with her we proclaim the greatness of our creator.

Heaven is reserved for you and me.

Our death is not the end but an entry into a life that knows no death. Through greater understanding of God's plan of salvation and faith in him, we can find greater hope and peace. God forgives us even at our last breath. All we have to do is RSVP.

Philippians 1:22-23 


~But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for God. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with the Lord, which would be far better for me~

For those who have most reason to desire to depart, should be willing to remain in the world. There is a way to journey into that deep place of silence where you will find your real purpose in this life and when you have found it, your deeds will touch thousands of lives.

,

Lourdes, France, 2010

By MC1

Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland was written by Lewis Carroll almost 150 years ago in 1865.

"I can't go back to yesterday - because I was a different person then" Lewis Carroll

I am late, I am late, I am late for an important date. No time to say hello. Goodbye, I am late, I am late, I am late!

If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary-wise; what it is it wouldn't be, and what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?

“Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle.”

Alice: I’ve had nothing yet, so I can’t take more.

Mad Hatter: You mean you can’t take less; it’s very easy to take more than nothing.

An advertisement Outside Printemps Department Store

MarieC1

Paris - A ball of a time

Paris Metro - Palais Royal, Musee du Louvre

This Image - F.B.

One of my favorites, Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk

MarieC1

My life lesson today

What I saw on the street of Champ Elysee today reminded me to be grateful for life's blessings. I met a gypsy asking for water so that she can have her medication. I have been warned about gypsies begging in the streets of the French capital but in the case of this old woman.....I could not walk away especially knowing what my father said before he died, "If a man is 'dying' and asks for water to quench his thirst, never hold back to share the gift of living water".

There is a light in this world,

a healing spirit

more powerful than any darkness we may encounter.

We sometime lose sight of this force

when there is suffering, and too much pain.

Then suddenly,

the spirit will emerge

through the lives of ordinary people who hear a call

and answer in extraordinary ways.

Mother Teresa

MarieC1

Lumix GF1 - 20mm lens

Objets Trouves- Paris

I have resigned myself to the fact that my camera is gone forever.... no more searching, no more looking back, time to move on.

For your information, before you decide go to Objets Trouves (refer to my previous posting). It it better to call or send an email, giving them descriptions of your lost item and wait for a reply before you visit them. All the information you need can be found at the website below.

Objets Trouves:

prefpol.dtpp-botf-objetstrovesfourriere@interier.gouv.fr

Telephone: 0821 00 25 25