It's A Miracle

It's A Miracle
by: Swim_butterfly



Earth is a miracle...

...the synchronized rotation
and revolution of Earth
...the changing of routine
seasons in each year
...the change phases of
the moon each month
...the mutualistic relationship
between autotrophs and heterotrophs
...heavy, massive and gigantic asteroids
floating along the belt
...the cyclical changes of water
from one phase to another
...living things evolve from simple to complex
resulting to organism diversity

Earth is a miracle...

As Boy George says, "It's a Miracle."




Asian elephant ride in Thailand, Nov 2009







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"You Will Never Be The Same"

Click here to watch You Will Never Be The Same



As I watched this You Tube video for the first time, I felt the compassion towards this country - Israel. I place myself as one of the blessed Israelites that the Lord loved dearly during the time of Moses and Abraham. Whatever they did, Yahweh was still on their side and even prepared a promised land with "flowing milk and honey" for them in their return from Egypt back to Israel.

What a beautiful country with enormous biblical histories that dated back BC and AD! --- This is the thought that percolated in my mind as I repeatedly listened to this song of Amick Byram in his powerful voice. A colleague from work last year came from Israel and he encouraged me to visit his country...Now the time has come to plan for the summer.

"You will never be the same" --- What does this mean to me? Ruins, histories, replicas, imprints, relics...I believe these are the proofs, but, in my perspective, it will be always the same how Yahweh expressed His love to the Israelites and to all people in the whole world. I am Christian and believes in the eternal and unchanging love of God. Yea, histories will be never be the same, but the extent of grace will always be there.

I am looking forward for the time to explore Israel and at least, to a certain degree, what the song "You Will Never Be The Same" is sharing about Israel. Pray for Israel!




In the Great Wall of China, Dec. 2009

The Road Is Long

THE ROAD IS LONG
by: Swim_butterfly



The road is long -
full of temptations
and
full of distractions.


Choices are clear -
going to the right path
or
heading to the wrong one.


It's all about two decisions -
a preference
or
conviction.


Different people take the road -
some light the world
or
others put it into darkness.


Those who light the world
brings peace
and
seeks out the helpless.


Those who put it into darkness -
brings misery
and
put down the hopeless.


The road is long -
with line in the middle
and
detractors on the sides.


The line in the middle -
straight
and
clear.


Detractors on the sides -
tempting
and
indulging.


Who would you be -
the one who lights the world
or
the one who put it into darkness?


What would you rather do -
walk straight ahead
or
turn to detractors?


The road is long.


---------
What inspired me to write this poem?

It was the road below that inspired me to compose this poem. I was in my car parked the 7-11 commercial complex by along Portola Avenue in Santa Cruz during a cloudy weather with my cup of coffee after the swim. As I drink my coffee this road caught my attention. I know it was not the best road but thoughts started to percolate in my mind. At the same time, I had my iPhone with my head set playing the song of Chris Rice's "Go Light The World."






As I wrote this poem inside my car while parked, world peace and hope for prosperity began to infuse my mind. In my opinion, we live in a very turbulent world and I know one can make a difference to the current situations our world has. The difference may be good or bad. We are intellectual being which can decide whether we choose our preference or conviction in decision-making. I know it is difficult, specially when human ego and pride start to shadow man's thinking, in addition, its in human nature that human beings want belong. It is because of aspiration to have a sense of belongingness, which is a basic need, that man choose to decide by preference instead of personal conviction.

Lastly, the road is long.







Me with my cowboy hat. 2-13-11 at home



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Journey to China

Click here to watch the beauty of China, I had great experience in my visit in this country.

Click here: Welcome to Beijing!

Click here: Olympic Song


I left the country on January 31, 2009 and was on the plane on Year's day. I arrived in Beijing on New Year's day. It was extremely cold and even colder when a huge unexpected snow storm happened the following morning after my arrival. Inspite of the weather, the tours went on. It was an unusual travel day for me but all were exciting including seeing snow flakes as the tour bus traversed the snow roads - a scene I seldom see and experience (not in fact) in the central coast in California. Beijing is a different world for me...weather, language, people, foods, cultures...and this made the trip colorful and more enticing! Jeah!






















In the Great Wall of China, Mutianyu section
















In front of the hotel during my first morning in Beijing.



































Inside the hotel in Beijing
























I love warnings...





















One of the ways I communicated with Chinese people...






















China currency...good Hindu Arabic numbers are also printed






















Forbidden City




















In the Ming Tomb...extremely cold!




















Only in China...
















Bicycles in Beijing...traffic jam but Cairo, Egypt is the worst

















In front of the hotel in Beijing I stayed the snow fall
















Tons of bicycles everywhere


















In the pearl farm









In the silk farm
















Very hazy sky in Beijing

















In the jade factory


















The Water Cube (2008 Summer Olympics) at night (taken from moving van)...

















What's wrong...head rest of a plane seat.


















Inside of the hotel lobby in Beijing where I stayed


















Plane that took me to Beijing, China
















Alley of the historic hutong community in Beijing with other tourists













Riding in the rickshaw in the hutong community in Beijing with other tourists from Germany















Bird's Nest, Beijing (where 2008 Summer Olympics were held)














Water Cube, Beijing (where swimming and diving competition during the 2008 Summer Olympics were held)













Beihai Park, Beijing













Tea House...extremely cold...wearing 2 jeans, warmer, down jacket underneath thick coat, turtle neck, 3 pairs of socks, scarf, bonnet, gloves...still cold...










Inside the tea house










Summer Palace during winter









Skaters on frozen lake











Lama Temple (in Guinness Book of Records)










Giant panda











Bird's Nest











Forbidden City