Balloon Flower

Platycodon Grandiflorus...phew! What a long scientific name for a simple pretty blue flower. No complicated-looking petals. No folds. No crazy outlines. Just a classy straightforward design.

I guess it's commonly known as the balloon flower because of its hollow buds. They inflate like balloons and burst open blue elegant beauties when the time is right.

The color blue is a color of mystery to me. A mixture of green and yellow...and walla....blue!

Did you know...

• the Greeks and Egyptians believed that blue wards off evil?
• "Prince Charming" is called "The Blue Prince" in Italy and Spain?
• the God Krishna in India has blue skin?
• Blue is the color for Friday in Thailand?
• it symbolizes conservatism in most of the corporate world?
• to the Cherokees, it means trouble?
• it's a color for baby girls in Belgium?

Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man's desire to understand. - Neil Armstrong -

As full of spirit in the month of May, and as gorgeous as the sun in Midsummer... - William Shakespeare -

In the gemstones world, the blue sapphire symbolizes harmony and loyalty.

Perfect allegiance to the cultural festivities celebrated in East Malaysia, more commonly known to the world as Borneo. Since the 1950s, traditional events and festivities held by the ethnic minorities are the most fascinating, vibrantly colorful, and educational. The grass-roots: loyalty to the respective native tribes and the harmonious reunion of each tribe in upholding their ancestral customs. It is all about remembering and realizing who you really are.

Each moment of the year has its own beauty - Ralph Waldo Emerson -

The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness. - Dalai Lama 

Everyone of us is a cut of a bigger puzzle. Knowing your ancestors and origin, the cultural history of your people, and the challenges they faced in order for YOU to be here today is important in your present living and journey to the future.

Knowing your lineage and culture helps you to configure a sense of pride. It is a guidance to know yourself better. It aids you to construct your identity; especially when this world has turned into a maze of mixed cultures and traditions. Have you heard of "he who controls the past, controls the future?"  Don't underestimate the power of history just because times have changed,and progressing rapidly. Your hereditary empowers you to look at your life from a worldview point; to appreciate the standards of your beliefs and ethics; gives you the confidence in steering yourself  in this unique and complex world better for a more desirable future.

If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree. - Michael Crichton

Desert Rose (Adenium)

This desert rose

Each of her veils, a secret promise

This desert flower

No sweet perfume ever tortured me more than this

And as she turns

This way she moves in the logic of my dreams

This fire burns

I realize that nothing's as it seems

I dream of rain

I dream of gardens in the desert sand

I wake in vain

I dream of love as time runs through my hand

(Sting)

Happy Mommy's weekend to all Mommies of the world. Correction!
I should say... to every human being in the world. It's very simple. Everyone of us has a mother, even though not all of us have the privilege to have our mothers around in the world today. For those of us who still do, please go give them loving squeezes. For Mommies who are in Heaven, let's give them spiritual hugs and remember the loving moments.

Desert roses have thick strong solid trunks ... just like our Moms; with their values, wisdom, and love

A mother's love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible. (Marion Garretty, author)

Desert roses thrive on heat and lots of light... just like our Moms; strong in facing challenges with positive attitudes and teachings.

My Mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual, and physical education I received from her. (George Washington, U.S President)

Desert roses are enduring flowers... just like our Moms. How many times have you disappointed her? Plenty. And, how many times has she stopped loving you? NEVER!

A mother's heart is a patchwork of love. (Anonymous)

Desert roses are unique, beautiful, sacred, and can live for hundred of years... just like our Moms; I believe they will forever look out for us even when they are no longer with us on earth.

Is my mother my friend? I would have to say, first of all she is my mother, with a capital "M"; she is something sacred to me. I love her dearly.. yes she is also a good friend, someone I can talk openly to if I wanted to. (Sophia Loren, actress)

However tough you think a Desert Rose is, it does lose its leaves during cold spells... so guard your Rose with the warmth of your love and attention at all times, not this just weekend.

It's because... being a Mother, her heart is no longer hers; it wanders wherever her children are or go. (Nikhil Saluja)

Being a mother is indeed a lifelong under-paid 'job' and honestly, 'payment' is super cheap, if you think about it. Payment is just PURE LOVE. Will you start paying up?

I dream of rain

I lift my gaze to empty skies above

I close my eyes

This rare perfume is the sweet intoxication of her love

Sweet desert rose

(Sting)

This is my "desert rose" of my mom. Every jewel represents the support, the love, the teaching, the protection, the prayer... for my growing soul.

Thanks MOM, you are my jewel and my rock of foundation.