Pyong Bricole

Cruise Ship During Carnaval 2011

IMG_2767, originally uploaded by pyongbricole.

Carnaval in Venice is always be a special time of the year for Photographer. But this year, even better, MSC decided to went to Venice during the Carnaval with its latest ship, MSC Magnifica. Venice port which is normally closed for Leisure Cruise Ship during the winter, make an exception for this year.
This is the picture of arrival of the cruise ship. I took this picture on Monday morning right on San Marco, with San Giorgio at the background. I've tried to take picture of the departure one, unfortunatetly, weather is not permitted, it was raining.

Finn or Bjork ?

Finn or Bjork ?, originally uploaded by pyongbricole.

I visited Bern, the unfamous capital of Switzerland, at the end of autumn, to be exact, during HALLOWEN day. The weather was crips and bright, just a great day to have a walk on a fog-free Bern and take some picture of the newly arrived babies bear at BärenPark.

It's a tradition in Bern, since 1513, to keep a bear at the city center. Later on they build a Bear Pit, still in the city center, and late this year, they renovate the pit and make it an ultra modern Bear Park - BärenPark, where people could enjoy the beauty of mascot of the city.

I once visited the park, sometimes last year, but then I learned that the bear I once saw and feed was passed away and replaced by 2 cuties, Finn (male) and Bjork (female). A week before my arrival, my friend who lived there told me, they "baby" is so cute and chubby. A week later, when I got there, it's ain't any baby, it's a mid-size bear. But she is still cute anyway :) oh yeah, I saw only one, the little boy is kind of shy for the moment, not yet get used to his celebrity new life.

But at least, Bjork did a great job, by herself. She did attracked so many hearts, eyes and cameras too, just by taking a nap in the open field of her bear pit :)

Unbelieveable...I (still) can sing!

After 17 years quited from the choir, now I found myself back to one. I've been invited by my daughter ex-teacher to sing in our local choir, and without thinking twice I said, "Sure, it would be nice!". That was three-month ago.

Three-month later, I went to the first practice of this year after a long summer break, and found myself a long list of concert and performance that due until June 2010. It freaked me out. I asked myself, "Will I be able to fulfill the responsability to show up every week since I love to travel so much?", "How about all the vacation we already planned until Summer 2010? Do I have to sacrifice any of them?". Before I could find any of those questions answered, the practice is began. I followed everyone to sing, even though I couldn't really concentrate due to questions that still lingered on my head. We sang for 2 hours, and I can't believe myself that I still be able to sing. It feels so good to be able to express myself through my voice again, I feel....FREE.

Forget about those questions, I think I will just go ahead and enjoy myself for the moment. There are many works wait to be done with the choir, but isn't life is about all but responsability and works. So then, roll up the sleeve, let's sing for this Sunday for the morning mass.

Always look at the bright side...

This year, we have an extraordinary August. Generally speaking, we will be lucky if we could have more than 5 non-overcasted day during that month. And now, all we have is the opposite. Bright, sunny day...a little breeze to ease the pain of the heat on our skin. Even my friends were wonder how could I so deliberately wishing for the rain instead of asking for the opposite. 

Translation : I start to get sick of all those sunny days, my calla lillies bulbs have to suffer from the drought if I didn't water it at least twice a day. What a waste of water....

By the time this bright days will be gone, according to the weather forecast, we will start to see more precipitation to arrive starting from next week, I suddenly receive an unexpected "presents" from one of the girl in the office - Stomach Flu's virus. Great, now I have to be obediently stay on my bed. Bad side, I am feeling like being hold as a prisoner. Good side, I am not the only one in this situation here, we are having a Flu's outbreak here - ordinary flu, stomach flu, swine flu...you name it. Therefore, whoever being touch by this F creature has to be, so to speak, quarantine.

But as I titled this post, always look at the bright side, I am so greatful that I could find, finally, a little space for myself out of my normal life schedule "school drop off - cooking - school pick up". It's quite good that finally I could, even though a bit painfull, lay back on my puffy pillow and read books that I love.

By the time I wrote this post, I am start to recover - faster than I thought, and so is the weather outside. Today, it feels more like those "normal" autumn day, start to catch the breeze from my window. Hopefully, tomorrow, even though I am kind of sad but I do have other responsibility in life instead of reading all the time, I could start to have a kick on my feet and roll on my wheel as usual.

Ms.Kitty

Ms.Kitty, originally uploaded by pyongbricole.

My sister gave me this solar powered car accesories to be put on my car's dashboard. Ms. Kitty will dance around when it gets sunlight on it's tiny panel. I told my mom once, I tought Ms.Kitty will love the cloudy day most, cause without enough sunlight, means she doesn't have to dance all day long LOL

Zurich Street Parade 2009

Zurich Street Parade 2009, originally uploaded by pyongbricole.

Last Saturday (8th August), Zurich was invaded by a loud music, alcohol and people from all over the world. They came to Zurich to party all day long, even under the rain. I happened to stay in the hotel which situated right in the heart of the party zone, gosh...the BUM BUM BUM noise stayed up to 5 AM the next morning.

It's quite fun to see people in their funny customs posing for the photographers, even though there were also some older people who tried to be a bit on the "extreme" side with their a bit "too fulgar" customs.

It's quite an experience, but it could be even better if it wasn't accompanied by the rain.

Swiss National Day

Swiss National Day, originally uploaded by pyongbricole.

First time in my life I took picture of fireworks technically correct. It was quite nervous at the beginning since I have never used the 'bulb' mode at all before (I only knew bulb based on its technical term).

I took my position in front of Parc Hotel 2.5 hours before the firework show began. Parc Hotel is facing the lake where the firework took place, only it's on the higher elevation. 1 hour before the show began, around 9.30, place that was empty when I arrived suddenly filled with people, which made it more difficult for me to move around and to make sure people who sat nearby won't touch my tripod.

Anyway...by midnight, I got home with this picture :) my work is paid off.

Crans-Montana's Beach

Crans-Montana's Beach, originally uploaded by pyongbricole.

Swiss people is so desperate for a beach, they even turned a hockey arena to an artificial beach in the center of a ski-resort - Crans-Montana

Happy 1st of August!

Yeah, Swiss flag~, originally uploaded by huizhidong.

Another big celebration for the Swiss !!
Happy National Day......

my only plan for today...hang out on the street and try to mix with the Swiss ambience :)

Alone

Leave, originally uploaded by pyongbricole.

by. Edgar Allen Poe

From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were — I have not seen
As others saw — I could not bring
My passions from a common spring —
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow — I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone —
And all I lov'd — I lov'd alone —
Then — in my childhood — in the dawn
Of a most stormy life — was drawn
From ev'ry depth of good and ill
The mystery which binds me still —
From the torrent, or the fountain —
From the red cliff of the mountain —
From the sun that 'round me roll'd
In its autumn tint of gold —
From the lightning in the sky
As it pass'd me flying by —
From the thunder, and the storm —
And the cloud that took the form
(When the rest of Heaven was blue)
Of a demon in my view —