hey.june.hello.monet

june is here!!! i can't believe it because that means half of 2010 is gone... but it also means a warmer weather for us here... during the pentecost long weekend, we were at giverny, the hometown of claude monet. we were blessed with perfect spring weather that weekend...

flowers are blooming and my mind is completely blown by the variety of flowers in his garden

in his garden, there is no lack of flowers and plants...

life becomes a little bit more colorful and inspiring

monet was not home when i was there and he never will be home ever....

and his mansion is big and tastefully decorated

at his japanese garden at the other side of the road...

the pond where he grew water lilies is most tranquil and serene

and admiring the water lilies from the japanese bridge would be such a pleasure thing to do at the right season as i would imagine and envision in his paintings....

that i saw in chicago art institute.... despite of the fact that monet and me never met and but i actually stood at the bridge that he painted many time and enjoyed his pond and garden...

in his garden i gain the inspiration and courage to start water color painting again...what an inspired meeting, even though i didn't meet him in person, but his creative spirit and his passion for arts is evident in his garden and home... and he has rubbed on the artistic spirit to me, visiting his home help me to understand his great work and master piece even better. it's a great personal encounter with him...

family.weekend

just came back from another weekend away from home. this time not too far, just slightly less than an hour drive away from home

i spot this creature just outside our bungalow this morning

the street sign of the park, business center is where most of the services are held...

spent some quiet moments at the market cafe

and indulged in these nice cake, far beyond the french standard but definitely way above the dutch ordinary version....

sunday celebration service in action, the presence of God is strong in these services....

This is my view and perspective from the translator table in the middle of the room

all in all a blessed weekend but i am really tired from a few weekends away and a full week of work, need to rest soon

have a good week ahead...

honfleur.wall.story

vernon

we drove to the other side river bank again in search for beautiful scene....

river seine

and the other side of the river where the town center is located

we met this french lady who know about photography and has good sense with camera and totally pleased with the outcome of this photo, bless her!

the old bridge cum old mill, totally scenic and surreal, the extra blue sky reflects in the river and sharply contrasting with the half brick and wooden mill

and can you imagine how it looks like in the past... i found an old post card.....

and of course this is how it looks like today even with the different aspects and perspective of the old bridge and its old mill of vernon

and tourelles castle standing silently along the seine river and besides the old mill as if they both existed for each other, witness each other's past glory and age together...

charming.rouen

you approaching rouen, you see this cathedral and you thought it is the famous nortre dame but later you discover it is not. you parked your car and explore the city

you spot these buildings with timber and concrete, you believe this is called germanic style but you are not sure.... the sun is soaring, you have to take out your jacket because it is too warm. you are hunting for food...
and suddenly you discover this square hiding behind some old buildings. you notice that it is not touristic and so you dicide to dine here at the terace but yet you choose a table under the shade
because it is too hot, you ordered a normandy style duck salad and a bottle of cider, what a way to start the holiday...

you come acoss the church built to remember joan de arch, who was burned live in this spot

you notice some ruins beside the church or some stones to recreate the atmosphere to remember the moment she was burnt live, at least this is the feeling you had

you continue to explore the city. you walk towards gros horloge, the street becomes busy and crowded

and suddenly you turn into a cobble street with almost nobody and enjoy a moment of silence

then you walk towards the bridge, a little outside of the city and you find the oasis at the seine river bank. it is very hot but walking along the bank you enjoy the breeze...

you pause and you take your time to enjoy the breeze, take in the scene, the river, poppy flowers, statues and buildings....

and you stop half way at the bridge to soak in the scenic river seine that branch into two

you want to walk to the other bridge so that you can get into the middle of the river but you realize time is not on your side because you have to get going to your next destination...

well, as the french says it... la prochaine fois...there is always next time...

i.was.in.france

last weekend and macarons are everywhere...

everywhere i go

i see these in patisseries...

more macaron

and more...

o! macaron! i am getting crazy!!

scent.of.the.women

i will keep this short as it is late now. this morning we had a special women's breakfast at the project of which i organized the event. we had some good and constructive discussion.

it is a women's breakfast meeting but there is one man attended the meeting and he is my boss in this project. he is the one who supports the women's initiative too!

lately the scent of the women is prevailing in our company and feminine effect is definitely worth the attention. that's the way it should go...

i.am.back

well, i am back from our mini road trip. there are many photos that i have no time to process and post. there are so many thoughts that need to organise but time is just not at my side at the moment. however, here are some highlights to share, more to come when i eventually have time to blog ... anyway, we are blessed with a LOT of sunshine and at the peak 32c...

meeting monet in his garden at giverny, where he got all his inspirations for his impressionist paintings.

enjoying my seafood dinner at honfleur

picturesque town vernon where we stayed for two nights

on our home bound trip, a stopover at amiens

stay tune for more...

mini.road.trip

the final long weekend, we are on a mini road trip this afternoon. south bound again and am excited for the nice weather waiting for us ...

see you in a few days..