Links lately

Spring, outside of the Natural History Museum, London, 2015.

Since I have been busy with piano practice, teaching, conducting the newly formed church choir for our evening service, and organising our home (unpacking boxes) lately, these links are mostly related to travel, photography, organisation, videos editing, and spring!
-These two vloggers: one based in London/LA (she brings back good memories of studying masters in the UK and traveling in London) and the other in Seoul. Their recent travels to Europe motivated me to look through my photo archives for the many photos I took in Europe and edit them using lightroom (see my recent uploads on my Europe blog)
-Bellywellyjelly and Jessica Whitaker are two bloggers/photographers who made me want to edit photos in adobe lightroom and take more portraits/tell more stories.
-Music: the free music archive to discover new music done by individuals and available for downloads for personal projects; I enjoy listening to the OSTs of the kdrama "The liar and his lover", IU's new 'Palette' album, and Roy Kim's 'Bloom' album lately. For a less upbeat spring music, listen to Yesung's Paper Umbrella album.
-This home organisation/cleaning method that I had heard before in the UK but watching a youtuber does it and explain it makes it more motivating to follow (partially of course because any method has its strengths and suitability)
-Favourite instagrammers: Imkristen with her family stories, Lydiajane and her travels/art stories, and sigridsminde (the kittens! & her blog).
-Book: D.L. Moody's "The Overcoming Life"

London memories (Spring)

A spring day in London, with my favourite person, filled with some of the things that bring smiles to my face: good spring weather, matcha latte, walks, bookstore, daffodils, ramen, pretty window displays, brick buildings...

As I look back at these memories and time spent in the Big City, I give thanks for the gift of life, creativity, beauty, mobility, and an iphone. Nothing is deserved but all is grace. As such, I acknowledge and hope I can always maintain this posture of gratefulness.

February on Lake Lucerne

It was sunny (this was during winter and in a week of gloomy weather), breathtaking, and unforgettable.

Lake Lucerne is located in central Switzerland, just like how this vignette of our boat ride on the lake is in the centre of our first day of seeing Switzerland, and the only spot of sunshine in that day.

The sun broke out around noon time after we had almost given up hope to see the beautiful mountains in Switzerland during our short trip there in February to visit Rebekka and her family. We rejoiced and welcomed the sunshine, recognising that it was God's favour to his children. It made the journey even more delightful.

Words and pictures do not suffice to describe how beautiful the scenery was. Super grateful for the experience.

As the year draws to a close, this is still the lesson that I need to learn: to always remember and be thankful in life...

Back to Barcelona Day 2

By now, I have figured out that the favourite cities that I have visited are places that thrive with art, history, and good food. I loved Melbourne for all the creative sculptures around the city, the free art galleries and good brunches/coffee. Lately, I have been missing this Barcelona trip, for the same good reasons. It was such an enjoyable trip, a saturated sensory experience--filled with sunshine, tapas, Gaudi/Picasso/Dali, fresh smells of pastries and coffee, guitar music in the squares, the Catalan language (which I realised was really different from Spanish), the stirring dynamic moves of the flamenco dancers, and the vibrant colours at Park Guell/the Sagrada Familia.
I had blogged about Day 1 of my trip and some phone edits, so now I will continue on the long overdue Day 2 in Barcelona.
We started day 2 with Park Guell, a private estate turned public garden designed by Gaudi.

 After strolling around the beautiful park, we headed back into town.

I love walking through the streets and seeing all the pretty shopfronts.

 Next, we came across the Palau de la Música Catalana, which is a concert hall that is found next to a cramped street. We wanted to see if we could go in to see a concert, but there were no suitable offerings for the time we were there. 

Another Gaudi offering is next on our list, the Guell Palace, a mansion Gaudi designed for a tycoon Mr. Guell back in 1888. This is the entrance, fit for a horse carriage to enter and exit.

 We went to the basement of the house first, which has the stable and courtyard.

 Every detail is a work of art worth admiring, and really something unique.

Underneath the central dome

Overlooking the balcony of a neighbour

 The attic:

 The rooftop has a 15-metre high sphire and 20 chimneys that double as sculptures:

Views from the rooftop:

The Columbus Monument peeking through the roofs and cable cars

After we left the Guell Palace, we turned a corner off the main street and found the Placa Reial, a square that is quite happening, surrounded by restaurants and shops. There is a fountain in the middle and I absolutely love the palm trees there. 

Then, we walked towards the other end of La Rambla street and reached the Columbus Monument without knowing that it is there, and eventually found the waterfront area that has been designed as a leisure area.

Standing at the foot of the monument that commemorates Columbus' voyage to America. He came back to report to the Spanish king and queen.

 Little snack from the supermarket.