Tag: travel

nature, Photography

Best of March, 2024

Milena Alien

Hiking was definitely number one cool thing that happened over the last four weeks. Nature is giving so much without asking for anything in return. I feel like it’s a great lesson. I’m so blessed to be in the Pacific Northwest, with all the natural wonders of the United States presented.

More nature pictures from mt st Helens, the volcano in Washington, above California.

silver spring surrounded by all the green

Panorama from the visitor center, mt st Helens

this is from the neighbor’s garden, blue and bright

sunny day in downtown Portland, on the way to cherry blossoms at the waterfront.

hawthorne bridge at night, walking home from the concert under the bridge, it’s a local venue

cooking at home, baked peppers stuffed with caso wrapped in turkey bacon.

yellow magnolia bloom in town, rare kind

familiar pink beauty before leaves appear

Sculpture Garden near the freeway, my birthday celebration choice in mid March.

in the garden pond these guys celebrated mating season, they are newts (salamanders) of Oregon

on the coast feeling like a toast.

too much sun on my morning run,

dressed in black, have to go back…

spring is green, plants are fresh,

nice and serene, at the garden stash

  • the book recommendation is A Mindful Way: eight weeks to Happiness by J. Seward-Magee
  • the movie I recommend to watch is ‘Perfect Days’ (2023), absolutely worth your time.

How did your March go? What was the best about it?

Abroad, experience, food

Yesteryear Trip to China

Milena Alien
Historic campus transportation

restaurant culture is vibrant and exotic anywhere you go, marketing strategies are endless fun

Places of worship are full of young people

Chinese parks and gardens are very pretty

The lion or the dog?

Getting your nails done after the hot pot experience, feeling great after eating, watching the noodle dance and Chinese opera ‘mask man’ perform.

tea after the whole prelude done for us, first tea ceremony that satisfied my curiosity about the real traditional performance preceding the tea drinking

breakfast at the fast food chain, spicy egg soup and gyoza dumplings

sichuan cuisine with my students after karaoke

Guardians at the museum

dragon on the roof fiercely looking forward

farewell concert on the last day

seafood restaurant I still have to try because they promise sour kraut as a bonus

lotus plant, symbol of spiritual enlightenment, beauty and prosperity.