My 40th Birthday

TODAY I am 40 and feeling fabulous!!!

We turn not older with years, but newer every day. (Emily Dickinson)

The white rose...my favourite-st flower in the whole world!!! The symbol of new beginnings...friendship, respect, hope...and most important of all...a symbol of true love.

As it is difficult to find white roses here where I live, I have decided to share with you some of my favourite flowers.

Today's theme is WHITE...my favourite colour of all; a colour of elegance :)))
White daisies are a symbol of loyal love...

Specially dedicated to my friends who knows me in and out...always believing in me when I have my doubts.

White lotus symbolizes spiritual perfection...

Spiritual is what I feel at times but far far far from perfection!!!!!

Gardenia symbolizes sweet love...

Dedicated to my daughter, Nicole...who has given me nothing but sweet & loving memories.

Arabian Jasmines are pure seduction...

*GRIN*

Frangipani carries feelings of peace and tranquility...

For the life I have all these years, thank you Lord :)

Purple & white trumpet flower represents success and pride...

For recent graduations and a new job that I love and look forward to every morning.

Orange Jasmines brings confidence and passion for life...

Are what I hope to give my students in their lives :)

Bleeding hearts...passionate love, strength and desire...mmmmm ;)

For all of us to carry on with our lives.

Thoughts:

Instead of counting candles or tallying the years,

I contemplate my blessings as my birthday is here,

Considering special people who love me and who cares,

And others who have enriched my life just by being there,

Thinking about the memories...passing years can never mar,

Experiences great and small that have made me who I am.

Another year is a glorious gift, so I will cut my cake and say

"Instead of counting birthdays, I'd rather count my blessings every day!"

Yellow Bells

Yellow bells casting mellow spells

When abloom they cast away gloom

By the sight of them my heart swells

By scent of them my spirit blooms

Yellow symbolizes joy and happiness...it has a cheery and uplifting effect...

Coincidentally, I am wearing a yellow blouse today and this morning I suddenly noticed that my yellow bell tree has bloomed beautifully...thus, these pictures for all of you to enjoy...

Noooooo, yellow is not one of my favourite colours; in fact, I have dislike this colour from the beginning of time. Somehow...today...I didn't mind it as much as before...*Smiles*

Smiles make life more beautiful...
REASONS TO SMILE...

Sunrise

Colours are pretty

Nothing has killed us yet!

Pizza tastes great. Who cares it goes straight to the hips!

First kiss

Holding hands

Dancing in the rain

Someone in this world loves me...definitely :)))

Amazing facebook friends

A glass of wine

Sunset

I wanna be the reason you smile....always :)))

Dwarf Anthurium

Miniature anthuriums are a joy to the heart...

Happiness is the natural state of a loving heart (Anonymous)

Grrrr....right this moment, I need joy and smiles. M in the midst of the university semester and feel like m running around like a chicken without a head....SANITY, please come back!!!!
This cutie's actual performance *wink* depends on elevation, temperature and nutrition.

THAT'S EXACTLY what I need right now...my sanity level needs to be heightened...I gotta decreased my spitting of fire and GOD knows I need glorious FOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!

Sanity is madness put to good uses (George Santayana)
Thus...my reason for this entry today as pink anthuriums symbolizes joyous friend :)

Reminding myself (and all of you, my dear friends) that this day and our lives...are God's gift to you and me...so give thanks and be joyful always!!! May love never leave your hearts...

O my Anthurium...my sweet Anthurium!
Came to my life, gorgeous and adorable
Thou give me a new direction
For a future we’ll share on.

Every time I see thee
My heart filled with elation
But it is the beauty within you
That captured my affection.

Sweet Anthurium! Sweet pink anthurium!
Taught me not to count the time left
But the treasured moments
Of happiness thy spent together.

Feel the love thee
And thy beauty to be loved
Suck the marrow of love
You are my essence of love.

Michael Richmond's Collection

Almost heaven...West Virginia...

Blue ridged mountains, Shenandoah River...

Life is old there, older than the trees...

Younger than then mountains, blowing like a breeze

Country roads....take me home....:)))))
Good ole memories come to mind...singing "Country Roads" with my dad when I was just a kid. Haha...and I always wondered how West Virginia looks like. Today I have the golden opportunity (A GINORMOUS THANK YOU goes to my good friend MICHAEL RICHMOND) to show the world how beautiful West Virginia, USA, is.
One touch of nature makes the whole world kin. (William Shakespeare)

It's been 16 years since I left USA. And it feels just like yesterday I was there, studying, working, and enjoying my days (and nights... *grin*).


Winter has and always will be my favourite season of the year. Although now...it's only a dream...but at least I know...my dream came true 16 years ago!!!


I chose to dedicate Michael's collection of nature this July simply because America just celebrated another year of freedom this past 4th July... without me being there to enjoy the fireworks and burgers and beer :(

However, this is a great chance to show the world how beautiful our earth is. I believe, no matter which country you live in, there's beauty everywhere. Just take some time and notice it. It can be refreshing. It can be inspiring.

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

I "met" Michael in facebook, gosh....for the longest time now!!!! Guess he fell in love with my photography and started talking to me :) But....look at his photography...amazingly beautiful. Thanks Mike for letting me share your photos here. It's truly an honour to have you with me.

God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone; but on the trees, the clouds, the flowers, and the stars. (Anonymous)
Michael Richmond lives in West Virginia, USA, with his 2 sons, Dereck & Dakota. He is a Christian with high faith and love for the beauty God has given to all of us to enjoy. He loves photography and animals. He is truly a gifted photographer with an eye for beauty :)