The Poetry of My Life through My Writings and Journeys
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu
One is never truly lost
Every road
leads somewhere
Even a blind alley
may lead you to a stairway
or a path undiscovered
As long as you keep moving,
you’ll later see
that a road
is about to be discovered
and a lesson is about to be learned.
Copyright © 2014 Joys of Joel by Joel F. All Rights Reserved.
I was in Marina Bay Sands Skypark enjoying the cool air and the splendid view when i noticed a huge Ferris Wheel standing tall from a distance. So i took a photo, sat on a floor and politely ask a stranger to take my photo with the Ferris Wheel as a backdrop.
The kind stranger told me it’s not a Ferris Wheel, it’s called “The Singapore Flyer.” Thanks for the view and the info, i decided that i won’t leave singapore without trying that ride.
The Singapore Flyer is just a walking distance from the Skypark and for a mere 29 singapore dollars one can already experience the flyer ride. It’s a totally different experience from the skypark as this time it gives you an entirely different view of singapore’s skyline from the moving angles of your flight.
It’s like flying, slowly, vertically and seeing a different perspective on how your surrounding changes depending on how and where you look at. It’s like a ferris wheel ride you experienced during your childhood days but this time it’s more of an awe and less of a scream. One get awed on how a single place can look so different depending on how you are moving.
Just like life, a single moment can have a thousand perspectives depending on how you look at it and the angles of the movement where your sight is leading. There are views that were always there but were overlooked because our vision is just relative to the direction where we are standing. Suddenly the same place looks bigger or smaller as one moves during the ride.
The ride reminds me of a journey, as it moves from top to bottom, you feel a different high when you see the world while you’re on top and feel a willful surrender when you’re at the bottom with high hopes for changes without even knowing that it will always be the same. The only time it will change is when one open his sights to different angles, just like that singapore flyer ride, the views are always there, it’s the ride that changes the view.
Copyright © 2014 Joys of Joel by Joel F. All Rights Reserved.
“Hawaii is paradise. It sounds cheesy to say it, but there’s music in the air there.”. –Bruno Mars.
Yes, there’s music, a melody that springs from your heart and a rhythm that springs from your hope. Hawaii is such a beautiful place, some say it’s a paradise, others say it is heaven.
No matter how you call it, one thing is sure, you can’t get enough of it especially when you’re about to leave. It’s a mini California: countless beaches . only bigger waves for surfers, endless branded boutiques and countless hollywood celebrities.
Should I say a a mini vegas too? So many hotels, exotic and world class shows. A mini Jamaica because reggae is everywhere. So many Japanese, Asians, Europeans; domestic and international tourists.
History, Culture, Shopping, Nature, for such a small state, there’s so much things to do and so many places to see. You walk , bike, drive, swim, surf or dive, or just simply do nothing, lay on the beach and watch the sunset and the changing colors of the sky.
I’d love to post all my pictures here, Hawaii is such a paradise i believe it needs a whole website for it.
I remember walking by the beach and witnessing a beach wedding and a funeral simultaneously happening, reminding me of life itself where falling in love is like experiencing the joys of wedding and break ups giving you the feel of attending your own funeral. Life is a bitch really. Ooops, I mean Life is a Beach. 🙂
Copyright © 2014 Joys of Joel by Joel F. All Rights Reserved.
I never thought that an old photo of a pre halloween fun day with my high schoolmates in california would make me smile and wonder.
The excitement of being a child again playing the maze race.
The confusion where to go and who to follow.
The whisperings that i seldom hear
when i’m too busy searching for the signs.
The distractions when i sometime stop
staring at that huge orange pumpkin
wondering why it’s only hugely appreciated
during halloweens.
I do get lost sometimes
not because i don’t read the signs,
not because i don’t listen and see,
Yes, i do get lost
when my eyes are widely open
when the road is too clear
and the sky is too bright
because when you think
that everything is all right
you seldom find a way.
And most of the time
it is only when the doors are all closed
that i noticed the windows.
**Photo was taken while visiting my high schoolmates in California. They brought me to Dell’Osso Family Farm in Tracy for a wonderful game of racing through the biggest corn maze in the United States. I lost in the race but win priceless memories of bonding with my classmates and their kids. How time flies.
Copyright © 2014 Joys of Joel by Joel F. All Rights Reserved.
To know thyself is the greatest knowledge
to accept oneself is a sign of courage
and all those times that i’m lost and wandered
i never thought that a voyage was needed
for my fears to be conquered.
Copyright © 2015 Joys of Joel by Joel F. All Rights Reserved.
Just a passing thought, i wonder why i seldom feature my own country in this blog.
Colonial mentality? Nope, not really, i just don’t have enough beautiful photos of my past escapades.
All right i have beautiful photos, too much alibis. The truth is you don’t really appreciate everything you have while you still have it. You know that feeling? That you can always return to that beach , that beach , just a few minutes from your place.
The mentality of not rushing because you have all the time to visit your country’s scenic spots. After all , they’re just within reach. Until a foreign friend of yours showed all his beautiful photos from his recent vacations and proudly tell you all his beautiful memories in that place.
You gasp in disbelief asking yourself why you can see a a sparkle in his eyes and yet you barely see the beauties that surround you.
I remember that time in Bangkok when i excitedly ask my friends to have my photo taken while i’m inside the tuk tuk (thailand’s version of tricycle) yet i never had a single photo of myself riding our local tricycles or jeepneys.
I thought i’m different until i talked to a thai tourist. She told me she’d been to more than 15 beaches in the Philippines and yet she’d never been to pattaya or phuket. Wow! Reminds me of myself.
This is taking too long so i better cut this short. So to appease my guilt in not advertising my beautiful country, (i know it’s not too late to post something about The Philppines), this time i’ll show you photos of a beautiful beach in Kalanggaman Island Leyte , photos courtesy of my friend Kevin Rodriguez.
Just like you, i hope someday i’ll visit this place. Who knows we might visit it together? Just give me a wink and i can be your beautiful travel guide.
Copyright © 2015 Joys of Joel by Joel F. All Rights Reserved.
What would you do when you meet a bunch of Stone Hearted Guys? Have a photo shoot with them, avoid the blinding lights by wearing your shades and fight the need to meet a warm hearted real man.
location : Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore
Copyright © 2014 Joys of Joel by Joel F. All Rights Reserved.
Every country has something to offer . Philippines has a thousand of them. Places, Skills and Expertise and World class products. Come To Cebu and you’ll enjoy not only the warmth of our people, the beauty of our beaches , our exotic and unforgettable delicacies but also the exquisite craftsmanship of our world class products. What are you waiting for?
Copyright © 2014 Joys of Joel by Joel F. All Rights Reserved.
Serenity captured by my lens
through a beautiful lake
enclosed by a snow covered mountain.
Nature whispering
its stillness
i now understood.
Questions being answered
calming my mind of thunder
and my pondering heart.
Finally, a moment discovering the answers
and yes it’s all crystal clear now,
no why’s no how’s.
Copyright © 2014 Joys of Joel by Joel F. All Rights Reserved.
A Sumptuous Feast of Egypt’s Ancient Past. All in one in a kiddie wonderland. Who says only a child would get a blast from the past?
Copyright © 2014 Joys of Joel by Joel F. All Rights Reserved.
From the town of a thousand umbrellas, the miniature and the huge ones, Hundred Umbrellas that greeted my sight. The Colorful assorted fans that i remembered seeing not only on the walls of some homes but also on the hands of some beautiful thai dancers as they showcased their music and traditions.
Bo sang umbrella village, known for its umbrella festival and friendly people where one can see assorted umbrellas and artful handcrafted fans in all size and colors give me whispers in my ears that i don’t need a rain to use my umbrella, i can dance with it even when the sun is up and even if it rains on my parade, i’ll be ready to get wet as i’ve got my fan to dry me up and it happens only in Thailand.
The Marketplace in The Big Island, where typical hawaiian food can be savored in comfy home settings. Also known as a chinatown as so many chinese food can be seen here. Maunakea – derived from the name of the dormant volcano in this island. This colorful place is full of colors, spices and sights to remember i can say Aloha!
Strolling around in Vancouver Island, had my lunch at this quaint small town and enjoyed a leisurely walk in the
