Last year, I promised myself to visit three of New York’s Skyscrapers- Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and One World Trade Center at least within six months. I’m happy to say, I accomplished them all however I’m still not sure which one’s my favorite. All of their views were spectacular but most of all the One World Trade Center had me in complete awe through out the whole visit. Its 360 view of all the boroughs is amazing. New Jersey is like the next door neighbor(lol)

Fun facts about the One World Trade Center: It stands 1,776ft, without the spire its total height is 1,368ft- this was the exact height of the twin towers. Design as 104 floors but the tower actually contains 94 stories. Floor 100-102 is the 3rd story Observatory deck.

“Keep looking up, the only thing on the ground is your feet.”  One World Trade Center Manhattan, NY 6:18pm

-Unknown

“Don’t dream your life, live your dreams.”  One World Trade Center Manhattan, NY 8:06pm

-Unknown

“:Until you get comfortable with loosing everything you will never attain the joy of having everything.”  One World Trade Center Manhattan, NY 8:12pm

-H.Henry

“Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure.”One World Trade Center Manhattan, NY 8:20pm

-George Edward Woodberry

“Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tip toe if you must, but take the step.”  One World Trade Center Manhattan, NY 8:26pm

-Unknown

“Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.”  One World Trade Center Manhattan, NY 9:15pm

-Napoleon Hill

Only yesterday, my friend and I were conversing about photography. Mainly about good and bad days to capture images. Speaking from experience, there’s really no “bad” day to take pictures; Unless its a bride and a groom at prospect park. That “bad” day turns to good the minute you start thinking outside the box just a little.

There’s a saying that the elder folks usually say: “when it rains it pours” which means from one bad situation to another. However I like to take that phrase and turn it into a positive one. How? “when it rains it pours”, pours causes puddles and reflection right? Think about it, so the next time it rains, look out for the puddles see if you can see your own reflection or of a building or vehicles passing by. What’s also interesting is the vibrant reflection of the street and vehicle lights on the pavement.

“Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.” Downtown Brooklyn, NY 11:13pm

-Unknown

“Hope is the little voice you hear whisper “maybe” when it seems the entire world is shouting “no!”  Bensonhurst Brooklyn, NY 12:16pm

-Unknown

“There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.”  Williamsburg Bridge, NY 4:40pm

-Buddha

“The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal.” Borough Hall Brooklyn, NY 5:23pm

-Aristotle

“One of the happiest moments in life is when you find the courage to let go of what you can’t change.” Linden Blvd Brooklyn, NY 6:22pm

-Unknown

“Some people look for a beautiful place, others make a place beautiful.”  Brooklyn Bridge Park Brooklyn, NY 8:52pm

-Unknown

Have you guys seen the new Hudson Yard Station as yet? If not its a must see. They really did an excellent job on this one I must say. This 7 line extension at 34th Hudson Yard, is New York’s first new station in 25 years.

I know this may not sound like a big deal, but it makes the commute on the far West Side of midtown Manhattan much easier since there was never any direct commute before. For example Jacob Javits Center, the High Line and Hudson River Park are all now easily accessible.

What should you expect when you do visit? Ahhh! I wouldn’t spoil the fun, go take a look and let me know what you guys think. But in the mean time, here’s a preview.

“Every morning is a chance of a new day.”  Hudson Yard Station Manhattan, NY 1:56pm

-Marjorie Hinckley

“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.” Hudson Yard Station Manhattan, NY 12:23am

-Nelson Mandela

“Success is not just a measure of how big you can dream, it is also a measure of how much can you do.” Hudson Yard Station Manhattan, NY 2:48pm

“A journey of a thousands miles must begin with a single step.” Hudson Yard Station Manhattan, NY 3:06pm

“Life is like a mirror: It’ll smile at you if you smile at it.” Hudson Yard Station Manhattan, NY 2:22pm

Some people are just nature born’s in front of a camera, others just need a little push to realize it. Photographing people in their most unnatural state is very rewarding, it gives you an incentive as to what they might be thinking or feeling. A stage photograph is also amazing; not sure which one I like best. Its amazing how you can learn about a person in such a short time while photographing them.It also makes them feel more comfortable when converse with them.

Here are a few shots I took over the weekend with some new friends.

“Happiness is a journey not a destination.”  Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn NY 10:26am

-Ben Sweetland

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built.”  Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn NY 10:39am

-Rumi

“Human beings make life beautiful. There’s beauty in everything. But what makes life beautiful is the ability to acknowledge that.”  Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn NY 11:06am

“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you a joy.” Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn NY 11:29am

-Rumi

  “The soul has been given its own ears to hear things that the mind does not understand.”  Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn NY 11:35am

-Rumi

“Names etched on the head of a pin, one name spanning a bridge, another undergoing a tunnel. A blue name needled into the skin. Names of citizens, workers, mothers, and fathers, the bright-eyed daughter, the quick son. Alphabet of names in a green field. Names in the small tracks of birds. Names lifted from a hat Or balanced on
the tip of the tongue. Names wheeled into the dim warehouse
of memory. So many names, there is barely room on the walls of the heart.” -Bill Collins

September 11th, 2001 do you remember where you were on this tragic day? I was back in my home country. I had just came out from school and turned on the television as I got in( a natural habit) when I saw the attack on the news. I stood there in disbelieve wondering if I was dreaming. Still in disbelieve, I managed to call my mom to inform her of what has happened. It wasn’t until the next day we were able to contact friends and family to make sure they were alright. Thankfully they were. To this day I am still baffled by what happened 14 years ago. However I believe this has only made the people stronger, united and more appreciated of life. Never forget……

To mark 9/11 anniversary, every year a Tribute in Light is been lit near the site of the World Trade Center. 88 searchlights, 44 for each tower. These lights can be seen from over 60 miles away. Seeing and photographing these lights was sad but such an amazing experience.

 “No day shall erase you from the memory of time.”  South Cove Park Manhattan, NY 8:30pm

 “Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honour those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unit that followed 9/11.”  Battery Pl Manhattan, NY 9:00pm

-President Obama

 “Nothing you gibe is lost to you or anyone, but cherished and preserved in Heaven.”  Battery Park Garage Manhattan, NY 10:51pm

 “Some gave a lot, others gave it all.”  Battery Park Garage Manhattan, NY 11:15pm

 “There are two ways of exerting one’s strength: One is pushing down, the other is pulling up.”  Battery Park Garage Manhattan, NY 11:37pm

-Booker T. Washington

“What separates us from the animals, what separates us from the chaos, is our ability to mourn people we’ve never met.”  Battery Park Garage Manhattan, NY 11:41pm

-David Levithan

The beauty of nature is that it surrounds us all. Whether it is the variety of clouds, sunset or sunrise or even a waterfall. When you think of New York the first thing that comes to mind is its nickname “The Big Apple”, “Concrete Jungle”, “Gotham.” But have you ever thought of New York as the nature type environment? This city is more than just the skyscrapers and bridges. Discovering the nature side of New York is almost unbelievable, sometimes I often have to pinch myself to be sure that I am in the right place.

“We never noticed the beauty because we are too busy trying to create it.”

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”  Central Park, Manhattan NY 6:34am

“What we consider possible or impossible, is rarely a function of our true capacity. Its more likely a function of our beliefs about who we are.”  Central Park, Manhattan NY 7:17am

“Nature is one of our greatest teacher.”  Prospect Park, Brooklyn NY 5:30pm

“The things that we love tells us what we are.”  Prospect Park, Brooklyn NY 5:44pm

“Nobody is bored when he is trying to make something that is beautiful, or to discover something that is true.”  Prospect park, Brooklyn NY 7:31pm

Welcome back all! Especially to the students and faculty and also my Openlab team.

I’m pretty much excited to be blogging again. What’s even better is that I get to share my summer adventure with you guys even though I stayed in New York, I surely made the best of it.

“Don’t dream your life, live your dreams.”  One World Trade Center, Manhattan NY 7:48pm

“You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to loose sight of the shore.” Staten Island Ferry, NY 8:18pm

“People inspire you, or they drain you. Pick them wisely.” Roosevelt Island, NY 8:50pm

“The moment you start to act like life is a blessings, it starts feeling like one.”  Manhattan Bridge, NY 6:35pm

Forever young; Enjoy your childhood to the fullest, for when its gone it can never be returned. Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn NY 6:53pm

“I’ll get you your money. But if you don’t get the President of the United States on that phone, you’re gonna have to answer to the Coco Cola Company.”( this was a line from the movie) Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn NY 8:55pm

It’s amazing how the things we see daily can turn into a form of art, objects, shapes and shadows. All it takes is for one to be a bit more observant. As for myself, I’m constantly seeking for objects ans shapes that may seem out of place or has interesting looks. Sometimes I get the ‘is she crazy’ stares from people; hopefully they don’t think about admitting me to the G building(now known as the Mental/Behavioral Health Center) in the near future(lol).

Shadows are created from natural and artificial light plays an important role. Without it, there wouldn’t be any shadows

“Travel light, live light, spread light, be the light.” -Unknown. Ralph and Atlantic ave, Brooklyn NY 12:32pm

 “Darkness is the absence of light. Shadow is the diminution of light.” -Leonardo Da Vinci. Tudor City, Manhattan NY 2:14pm

 “Give light, and darkness will disappear of itself.” -Desiderius Erasmus.Tudor City, Manhattan NY 2:24pm

 “Ours is the responsibility to keep our lights bright for others to see and follow.” -Thomas S. Monson Central Park West, Manhattan NY 6:49pm

“Never fear shadows. They simple mean there’s a light shining somewhere nearby.” -Ruth E. Renkel. Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn NY 7:03pm

As she lay there enjoying the beautiful view, it silently took over the harbor and city. Then everything got white. “Rising Of The Fog.”

Fog, mist, haze are all the same words, but do you really know what it means? It’s a body of thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at the earth’s surface, reducing visibility.

I’ve seen fog many times before, but never have I seen it take over the harbor in a matter of seconds. At first, I was literally chasing what was left of the fog. Then to my surprise, as I sat enjoying the view, it rapidly took over the harbor. To my luck, I no longer was “chasing fog.”

“No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress,you’re still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying.” -Tony Robbins. Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn NY 8:10am

 “In the mist of difficulty lies opportunity.” -Oprah Winfrey.Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn NY 8:40am

 “Sometimes we need the fog to remind ourselves that all of life is not white and black.” -Jonathan Lockwood Huie. Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn NY 8:47am

“Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” -E. L. Doctorow. Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn NY 9:27am

“Derive happiness in oneself from a good day’s work from illuminating the fog that surrounds us.” -Henri Matisse. Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn NY 9:32am

“Faith is like radar that sees through the fog.” -Corrie Ten Boom. Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn NY 9:42am