After months of off and on work on this project, I am thrilled to announce that my website’s finally got a new look! Check it out!

Gone are the black background and white text. I replaced it with subtle colors that are neutral and easy on the eyes. Oh and by the way, the new website is now mobile-friendly. So you, the person reading this post on an iPhone right now, do not even have to go to a computer to check my website out. Please feel free to browse and share it to your friends.

P.S., many thanks to the people who did not hesitate to agree when I asked them if I can put their photos on my website. No need for arm-twisting there. You guys rock!

I was on a plane heading west, on my way to meet some friends, when the guy who was sitting next to me, turned towards me and asked, “are you hot?” For a second, I was a bit surprised when he asked that. But, I kinda know what he meant. Not that kind of “hot.” He was nice enough to ask me if I feel warm and uncomfortable because he would adjust the air for me. Oooh! This sounds like this might lead on to something. Well, I don’t think so. Sure .. he was a good looking guy but a bit old for my taste and I was certain, the man sitting next to him … was his boyfriend. How did I know? Let’s skip the details about that.

This past couple of weeks, I have been really blessed. I had the opportunity to meet my dear friends and spent quality time with them. It wasn’t enough but I’m still very thankful for it. On these trips, I’ve snapped quite a few photos of cloud formations. Most people would consider a cloudless day a perfect one. For me, a day with white fluffy clouds scattered all over, the sun peeking every now and then, is absolutely perfect. These pictures always remind me how great our God is.

Ok, I know what you are thinking. You probably think that I have started taking up food challenges like Adam Richman does on his show, Man vs Food, on Travel Channel. No way! Not in my wildest dreams. Food, with a humongous amount of serving, will easily defeat me. But, just like a million other things, food is one of my favorite subjects.

I’m posting some of the food photos I took. If I may, I would suggest to eat a big meal before looking at these photos.  Don’t blame me if you get hungry after going through this post. Enjoy!

Barb’s Spinach & Artichoke al Forno
Maggiano’s, McLean, Virginia

Beef Tenderloin Medallions
Maggiano’s, McLean, Virginia

Profiteroles
Maggiano’s, McLean, Virginia

Apple Crostada
Maggiano’s, McLean, Virginia

Barg Kabob – Marinated strips of filet mignon.
Kabob Bazaar, Arlington, Virginia

Feta Saganaki – Greek feta cheese in olive oil, topped with tomato and oregano.
The Greek Taverna, McLean, Virginia

Stuffed Salmon – Baked salmon filet stuffed with spinach, dill, parsley, feta cheese and spring onions.
The Greek Taverna, McLean, Virginia

Taverna’s Special – Combination plate of Moussaka, Pastitsio, Dolmades Avgolemono and Spanakotiropita.
The Greek Taverna, McLean, Virginia

Southern Fried Chicken with coleslaw and mashed potatoes
Mert’s, Charlotte, North Carolina

This is simply called, “Marel’s Frozen Yogurt” – Mango and vanilla yogurt, topped with mango pearls, marshmallows, grated coconut, white chocolate chips and chocolate candy sprinkles.
Orange Leaf, Pineville, North Carolina

Thank you Shiela G. and Hya for the names of the following dishes.

Left: Fried Shumai; Right: Dragon Roll
Sushimon, Las Vegas, Nevada

Baked Green Mussels
Sushimon, Las Vegas, Nevada

Fheena and Robert met in high school. It was year 1991. They sat next to each other. He was a typical high school boy, playful but smart, skinny but an active cadet officer. She was an attractive girl , with the pretty curly hair, an eye of an artist and a love for sandals. He liked her …  he wasn’t her type. He pursued her, he made her laugh so she gave him a chance.

Fast forward 2010. Now, they are blessed with three wonderful and beautiful children, Patricia, Kevin and Katrina. 13 years after exchanging their vows and 18 years of being together, the love that binds them continues to grow. They make each other better, one completes the other.

I am proud to say that they are my best friends. When I asked Fheena and Robert if they can pose for my camera to add to my portfolio, they agreed without any hesitation. As I continue my journey on this difficult path of photography, I am so lucky to have amazing friends. Friends who always have my back and will always be there to support me and my endeavors. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, my dear friends! I love you!

Big thanks to another dear friend, Chapet, for directing the next couple of shots. Thank you, Chapet!

It was Saturday, armed with my SmartTrip card in my fingerless-gloved hand, I was running like mad, hoping to get on the Orange line train heading downtown. I was almost there, a few more steps on the escalator and then I heard it … “Step back, doors are closing.” Darn it! I just missed my train! I looked up at the schedule board and the next train won’t arrive ’til 15 minutes later. I’ve got to get out of here fast! There’s not much time left. Need for Plan B and Plan C. Plan B, I can drive to where I’m going. Plan C, take a cab. If I drive, it might take me awhile to look for a parking spot on the street. And I suck at street parking! Scratch that… I’ll just take a cab. I stood patiently and waited for one. 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 5 minutes have passed, not a single cab. I’m getting antsy. Where are these cabs when you need them? Maybe I should go back to the Metro station. But I still have 10 minutes to kill if I go back. I took a deep breath and muttered, “If I’m not in a cab within 5 minutes, I’m going back to the Metro.” And finally, there it was. The black and red cab. Thank you, God! This might end up to be a great day after all.

“I need to get to the National Museum of Natural History as quickly as possible, please,” I told the cab driver. “Are you going to a field trip?”, he said jokingly. I said, “Yes, my first field trip.” The rest of the trip was pleasant. I got there 10 minutes before time. The cab driver knew the streets like the back of his hand and brought me there pretty quickly. I was so excited for this day that I wasn’t able to sleep well the night before and so the following day, I got up late. Two posts ago, I mentioned about signing up for my first photography workshop and last Saturday was THE day.

Our instructor, Melanie, from the Washington Photo Safari, met the class at the National Museum of Natural History. There were 5 of us in the group, supposedly 6, but one got snowed in in Michigan. This was an all beginners digital photography photo safari and I had a wonderful time. Melanie was great. I like the fact that she was able to critique our work without being cruel. I learned so much about White Balance and the importance of it, some composition and more on shutter speed and aperture. For my non-photog readers, I will spare you the technical details and will just post photos from the workshop.

I admit that I enjoy post processing my photos. For me, it’s half the fun of photography. But all of the photos you see on this post are untouched, especially the one below. The subject is some kind of rock that was taken out of a cave in France as is. I thought it was a sculpture. Anyway, the instructor wants us to play with White Balance and Exposure Compensation and here is what I got. Instant Chocolate-syrup-ed photo.

Since it was a nice day, Melanie took us out for a walk. We headed towards the National Gallery of Art. On our way there, we passed by a skating rink.

Melanie discussed about panning and I was uberly happy about it. I have been trying to do a panning shot ever since I read about it from Scott Kelby’s book. Wasn’t easy as it looks. If you are going to ask if this lady did a double axel? The answer is no.

Lo and behold! I’m really glad how this turned out. Not a perfect panning shot but, hey, it’s a start. I guess I have to hang out more out on the streets.

Here are a few images inside the National Gallery of Art.

This last photo doesn’t belong to any of the museums nor the taken during the safari. I was headed home and as I was making my way to the Metro station, I saw this. Ok, this one’s post-processed.

So there you have it. I have survived my first photography workshop and I’m looking forward to the next. Intermediate level, here I come!