Part drawing of my face by a street Artist who literally kissed my feet for allowing him to draw me. *in Los Angeles, CA
Life is not just a matter of blood relations, but a matter of bond and soulful reflection of our own in friends and people we meet or beget. Otherwise, we won’t have any hope in this world for an opportunity to give to and in turn, unto ourselves who are always the beneficiary of our intentions and actions. This is what it means to help others as our main purpose according to the Dalai Lama. However not properly and thoroughly explained– to help others is not the main purpose in itself, but to help ourselves through others who share in that unseen sameness. When those needs called to order are met, however unfamiliar to who we think we are, we then flourish at best and are released from the very burden of that unseen truth. For what the holiest self sees is beyond what our eyes see. Trust in the Lord within and look unto others as mirrors reflecting parts of thyself you can’t see or know, and then give whenever you can. Your soulful framework is kept SECRET by your maker. These are the very gifts that gave you the breath of life which required fire for polarity to exist in you–both the imperfect self and the perfect. That polarity allows for evolution in a godly manner of knowing balance. For God is perfect balance, and only love will make you find it–in yourself.
Thanks to Queen Victoria, we now have a hunger chasing remedy of delicate treats served with tea, long after lunch is over and several hours before dinner. During her era, afternoon tea became as much appreciated for its social aspect as it was for its meal. Though truly, its purpose was to keep her from going on a rampage with a meal that was to be served much later. I don’t blame her! Today, the same custom can prevent us from making that quick dive into the bread and butter when it arrives. Even when done solo, there is something about afternoon tea that is very soothing and grounding, possibly from the fact that we feel nourished and pampered with so much attention to detail.
The prettiness of such delicate serves is also very entertaining. It’s enough to keep me smiling given a glass of champagne to have some kind of bubbly company. However, it does take service and some effort. Reflective of a high society ritual, the customary afternoon break usually boasts of beauty and elegance at its tables, including its attendees. While to most, it has relaxed to suit modern day living, I can still remember the authenticity of invitations from friends, during the years I lived in Hong Kong when it was a British colony.
Although my favorite is Earl Grey with a dollop of Devonshire cream, I ordered lemongrass tea which came piping hot, as it always should. The setting offered a wet and fragrant hand towel, neatly rolled on a bamboo tray, to prepare my hands with pristine value of cleanliness. As pictured above, the menu included classic savories of the following:
They joked that the highlight was storytelling, having lined themselves up with the other little children, after tea was served. No, they did not sit on Santa’s lap! Haha! We then hit the mall in Fashion Valley where we shopped for presents to give to our guys, and then had dinner afterwards. Below are the rest of the photos from that day.
Here is what composed their trays in January of 2012:
It used to baffle me how God has so many laws, yet he is the all forgiving God. Now I know the laws are a way to know of His nature–that we shall be as one. An almost impossible feat considering human nature, especially when we become of age. Yet when that knowledge is founded, it is simply good enough.
The models were very cooperative, patient and obliging. And yes, I noticed everything, all the way to the absolute willingness of a male model to brave the cold in the snow without his shirt, and then be commissioned for after shots (again) despite the feat of ice landing on his eyes, hair and just about all over, without taking a break.
Now onto acknowledging a real city highlight– there was Jenny Wu! We were giggly over raspberry mojitos on the rooftop of 230 on 5th Street, while beyond us, the Empire State building was aglow in orange for Halloween night. There, she handed me my new fish eye lens that I had sent over to her office from New York’s B&H! Sweet as the lens was, the night was more fun getting to know each other more, that we ditched the Village Halloween parade shoot for later. We simply took our time, but we got there alright! And with half an hour’s worth of being paparazzi, we still were able to collect enough photos for down memory lane. Surfish Bistro was absolutely delicious where Jenny and I shared the same food interest: Mussels, ribs and Paella, all light and tasty without overpowering heaviness, yet offered an adventure into flavor with every bite. What a great night it was!
