Thinking Out Loud

Me, the Moon Child In astrology, the zodiac sign Cancer (my zodiac sign) is ruled by the Moon, which makes me  the ultimate "moon child".   A moon child is sensitive, intuitive, and deeply emotional—like the tides pulled by the moon. Their moods can ebb and flow, just like lunar phases. One minute, they have cozy, nurturing energy… the next, they retreat  into a shell to recharge. They often hold ancient wisdom in their hearts.  The Moon gives Cancer that strong connection to home, family, and their inner world. Plus, they tend to feel things on a whole other level. It must have been the moon child in me that  made me endure the cold Thursday night and stay up late as we observed the lunar eclipse and witnessed  the blood moon. I usually go to bed early since I get up early. But I will not miss the lunar eclipse.  After setting up our telescope, we saw the partial eclipse and the total eclipse as seen in the pictures below:      ...

Goodbye February, Hello Mars? Last night, after dinner, we optimistically went out to check the planetary alignments. Geared with our telescope and binoculars, we could see Mars and Jupiter at first with the help of an app I downloaded. An hour later, as it was getting colder—it's still winter after all—we decided to head home and try to check the planetary alignments from our front or back yard.  At home, after warming up, we set up our telescope in our front yard and found Venus, Mercury, Saturn, and even the Moon and the Sun.  It was nice to know that they were aligning. Here are some photos taken from the app we used: We looked through our telescope and binoculars, but they were too small to be viable as pictures.  Planetary alignment is one of the most awe-inspiring celestial events, captivating astronomers and sky watchers alike. This rare occurrence occurs when planets appear to line up in the sky from Earth's perspective, forming a straight or nearly straight...

Friends, are we?  Ah, friends—those marvelous beings who make life's journey much more enjoyable! Friends are like the family we choose for ourselves. They bring laughter, support, and a sense of belonging. Whether having deep conversations, sharing hobbies, or simply enjoying each other's company, friends enrich our lives in countless ways. Not all friendships are built on trust and sincerity. False friendships can be deceptive, often characterized by manipulation, jealousy, or self-interest. A false friend may only appear during good times but disappear when challenges arise. Recognizing such relationships early can help protect emotional well-being and allow for the cultivation of genuine connections. Determining whether someone is a friend or a foe often involves observing their actions, consistency, and intentions. A true friend supports you, respects your boundaries, and brings positivity into your life. They celebrate your success, stand by you during challenges, and off...

Winter has come ... Winter is such a magical season with its own unique charm. It’s when the world seems to slow down, and everything is covered in a soft, frosty blanket. Winter finally came when it's snowing every day, and a winter day isn’t complete without building a snowman! A snowman on a winter day brings to mind a charming, cozy scene full of joy. It’s the type of day that invites you to pause for a moment, marvel at the beauty of nature, and perhaps share a smile with the frosty figure you’ve created. There's something undeniably nostalgic and magical about a snowman standing tall in the middle of a winter day as if it’s a reminder to slow down and enjoy the simple, peaceful moments of the season. We've been waiting for at least 2 to 3  inches of snow. And it finally came. With fresh snow, before it will be plowed or melted, my nephew and niece endured the cold weather and built a snowman family from this week's snow. The pictures below show their imagination a...

Hello, heart month ♥ Good grief, time passes by quickly, and it's now February.   I like the month of February because I see hearts everywhere I look at the store. Luckily, I do not have to wait for February to see heart-shaped clouds because I see them often. I don't recall when my fondness for heart-shaped clouds started, but I remember watching clouds form into hearts and to prove that it is not my imagination, I take pictures. What also amuses me is that I can see heart-shaped clouds on sunny or cloudy days.  Here are some of the pictures that I took showing heart-shaped clouds ...         Heart-shaped clouds put a smile on my face because, somehow, it feels like love is in the air.  Throughout history, people have looked to the sky for signs and messages. A heart-shaped cloud is often seen as a symbol of love, hope, and serendipity. Some believe spotting one is a sign from the universe, angels, or even lost loved ones sending a mess...

Finding the Northern Lights We heard that the Northern Lights would be visible in our area in October last year, so we planned a trip with the mission that we would not go home until we saw them.  We optimistically packed blankets, water, hot cocoa, snacks, and our telescope one October weekend. With a guiding map app, we were off excitedly at about 9:30 p.m. and drove about 5-10 minutes to where we were told the Northern Lights would be visible.  We found our way to the place through dark alleys and rocky roads. At some point, we lost our internet connection and started to feel that we should not be out there, thinking that something might jump out of the road and slam into our car and that we should turn around and go home. It could be the introvert in us kicking in or the fear of the unknown. But with good faith and we don't give up, everything will be well since our car has gas and is full of food. ^-^ Once we realized we could be in the wrong place since we parked in a ve...