Cultivate deep gratitude toward everyone.

Those who have attained Buddhahood did so by cultivating loving kindness, compassion, generosity and patience towards living beings. It follows that if there were no sentient beings, we could not attain enlightenment; therefore, for us, there is no difference between the kindness of Buddhas and that of sentient beings. Especially, consider that all those who cause harm are as benevolent as spiritual friends. To repay their beneficence, even if unable to respond to injury by tangibly helping them, we bring about their benefit by means of wishes and words.

If you are able even when distracted, you have trained well.

Even when distracted, able riders do not fall from their horses. Similarly, even when harm-doers and their like suddenly appear, if we do not experience anger but use the situation to enhance our lojong practice, the mind has been well-trained.

Training must continue until Buddhahood has been achieved!

-- from "A Concise Lojong Manual", by Konchok Yenlak, the 5th Shamarpa

Autumn Beauty

We received a solicitation card in the mail from a local artist Leisa Collins who does personalized watercolor house portraits from across the USA and have now created house portraits in 41 states and in 30 different architectural styles. The styles include Craftsman homes, Bungalows, Victorian, historic homes and more. Her general price range for a house portrait is $350 to $695, depending on size and framing and to some degree the detail in the house itself.


Just as personal tastes vary, every home is uniquely different, so my hubby said that we could utilize Photo Shop to mimic the watercolor effect from a camera-taken picture. Since I don't have Photo Shop to play with, let's just enjoy the fall faves from my newly painted house pictures.

Had I had a magic wand of paint brush, I'd still paint my dream house Yellow......

See how yummy buttery yellow could look in our California Ranch style house exterior.

Consider this warm hue a blank canvas on walls, it works as a neutral and keeps any space open and bright.

Don't get too caught up on a perfect color match. Layer varying shades of orange--even golds--into a space for a gorgeous complementary palette. Enjoy this Halloween spirit!

Warm reds with lavender Cora Vinca....

At the corner of my backyard patio....

C'mon, get happy

It's simpler than you think. "Act out of passion, not fear."

With leaves at their colorful peak, just stepping out the front door can be a treat, Whether you're on a full-on fall walk or picking up the mail, take a snapshot of your favorite foliage and feel the stress lift. 

Divergent (2014, Movie)

This is the first of a dystopian trilogy. The underlying premise of this future post-apocalyptic version of Chicago is a little hard to swallow - who thinks it's a great idea to pigeonhole each person based on a single characteristic?  At least the system of government in 'The Hunger Games' made sense in a Roman sort of way. I'm not sure Shailene Woodley was right for the part of Tris as I had difficulty connecting with her character. 

it is still an excellent sci/fi actioner, plus an extreme deficiency of logic. I'll bet that my hubby will be looking forward to the sequel though.

Party at Ying Yuen's new home

The following were taken by Joyce using Meipai:
www.meipai.com/media/125998578
www.meipai.com/media/126018399

Location: Armen Tan and Ying's new home in San Marino

Host and hostess: Armen Tan and Ying Yuen, and sons Teddy and Archie

Participants: Joyce Huo and son Alvin; Yali Liu and sons George and Richard; Dr. Danny Chung and Mrs. Jenny Chung; Tracy Au and mother and twin daughters and niece; Susan and Mr. Walter Yao; Carol Lu and Wu Liang Huang

House warming of Ying's new home plus celebrating 3 peoples' birthdays are the keys of the party. On a breezy California afternoon, we gathered multiple talented food minds to share a unique sort of potluck. Each friend brought one or two different delicious points of view to the table.

Touring the newly remodeled home was a joy. Entering the solid thick door reminds me of 八卦 design. In addition, the black tiles gives you another "awe" feeling! The living room is in the bungalow style with the old-fashioned brick fireplace, just like my house. All the other interiors caught my eyes are crystal chandeliers, green-top kitchen island, electric stove, glass-door ice box, bottom-open cupboard, contemporary bathroom tiles and more. We also put in our two-cents for wine and glass racks. Gee, it's a very cozy home to me.

The food is vibrant, the laughter is constant, and the meal is recorded with a snap, a tweet, and a post. We are there to sneak a bite and follow the fun!

Lemonade and red wine get the cocktail treatment for drinks that complement a turn-of-the-season menu. We enjoy every moment there.

Beauty at the Arboretum

TFGH Annual Banquet on 09/06/2014 (南加州北一女校友會第三十屆年會)

What a wonderful night with all the good food, nice performances, fun karaoke, plus the ambience of the girls' giggle. 

There is a saying: "To realize the value o f a friend...lose one."  

Wish all my dear friends young and happy, always!

Beauty in the Huntington Library

一見未鍾情 (Movie, 2014)

講述了以廣東佛山均安鎮為故事發生地，以均安牛仔企業的發展變革為背景，在內部經濟環境的衝擊下，均安某牛仔服裝企業在遭遇重重危機時，年輕的企業繼承人夏伊諾為尋求企業發展新出路背水一戰，潛伏進入另一間牛仔企業後發生的一係列啼笑皆非又感人的愛情故事。