Two choices

Read this on someone's blog today. Not that it really matters, but her circumstance (a young widow) makes her writing all the more encouraging:
 
"But at the end of the day, I'm left with 2 choices: seek God or don't seek God.  And seeking God today brought so much more peace in my heart.  We're all still sick.  Circumstances haven't changed, but my heart is still.  And I know where my real "home" will be."

Looking in the mirror

Every so often, it helps to look in the mirror. Check on those teeth + reach for that floss. Grab that facewash + cleanse those pores. Pickup that razor + clean up that chin.

I'm not declaring spinach-in-your-teeth, clogged-pores, or a five-o-clock-shadow as features of "ugliness" (aka as 'unbeautiful') or anything, but there are certain things you might just be better without.

I guess this week was one of those clear reminders. Being 24, semi-independent, and relatively accomplished by worldwide standards (I'm talking about getting my bachelors degree), I've always felt a certain confidence in my life.

The world is full of opportunities! Adventure is out there!

And sometimes, we forget to look in the mirror. Ok, I forget to look in the mirror. As put together and professional I can be among the most difficult situations-- chaotic wedding mornings, uncooperative children, camera-shy seniors, children going in and out of seizures for 2hrs straight-- sometimes I just get plain upset at really stupid things. I take things the wrong way, and bam. Cordially offended by someone's poor attitude, or the fact that someone speaks to me in malcontent. Or a wedding guests' rude attitude. Or when everything runs late, time and time again, at a super long wedding day. And suddenly, in those moments of uncontrolled emotions, I am reminded how puny and blemished I really am.

Some people get tattoos to remind them of things. Others, they punch away at their iphone calendars to mark down the tiniest little reminders. When we were kids, there was an old fashion practice of tying a string around one's finger as a reminder of a chore or an act to be done. For me, I think my biggest reminders are in those "Oh boy, what a fool I am" kind of moments. Moments that happen in which, after cooling down, I cringe and wish I had a CTRL-Z button to push. Regardless of how many fingers I can point outwards and no matter how I can argue my case effectively, there's always one finger pointing back at me.

And one thing stands true: I am the biggest, most broken sinner that I know of.

In that same thought, it is also a reminder of where our dependence should lie as Christians. The church isn't full of holy and beautiful people; it is made up of broken, foolish, and lousy people. We are made Holy in Christ (1 peter 2:4-5). How much more we should learn, each day, to cling to Christ, knowing we are really nothing without Him? How constant are the reminders we need of how little we are, as human beings? May we constantly be reminded of this for the very reason to point our hearts back to the cross. - Revelation: I overanalyze when it comes from E-type people. There, problem solved. Relieved.

This is not my Tierra

Recently, I had a conversation with someone about tattoos. The topic of discussion was 'What kind of tattoo would you get?' My friend's response was thoughtful, and one that many others would probably mirror as a motive for getting their own tattoos. With tattoos being so permanent, she'd only opt for a tattoo that would be a significant and meaningful reminder of an event in life. In essence, something that deserves to be permanent.

I've been thinking about her response for a while now. While this conversation made me think about what kind of tattoo(s) I may eventually obtain, it forced me to step back and examine the larger picture; what sort of events in my life would constitute "deserving" of such permanence? In short, what events in my life have influenced me the most? Surely, dermatological graffiti shouldn't be thought of lightly.

The other night I was meditating on the concept of pain and suffering. Specifically, I think about all the times I've encountered suffering in the lives of others… Like that time I met a whole village of Malawian children who stopped going to school because they hadn't eaten in 3 days, and their churning stomachs were too distracting for them to sit in the classroom. Or that time I curiously approached a large line of people at a little Cuban fishing village only to discover everyone was waiting to pick up their government-monitored rations. Or all the homeless folks I've met who have looked me in the eyes and told me to be thankful for the little things in life. In reflecting upon those experiences, I look back at all the times that I had suffered, and all but a few really seem so insignificant.

After reading an article one evening about suffering ('Should We Pray for Suffering?' <http://www.theocentric.com/spirituality/suffering/should_we_pray_for_suffering.html>), it made me think about all that encompassed the suffering experience. Truth be told, no one likes to suffer. But as painful and strenuous as it may be to endure suffering, I've realized that it is in those very experiences I've learned the most. You see, suffering is a natural part of our human lives. Suffering isn't just uncomfortable; it's discouraging, it's unwanted, and at the same time, often times I find it inevitably necessary. When we encounter suffering, we can either complain & mock it; curse it with our very hearts, or we can embrace it. Stones on the beach don't become smooth by gentle waves and warm sunshine. The impact of crashing waves and the friction against other elementals make this smoothness possible.

That's a lot like how our lives should be.. or so I hope. The more years we take on in our lives, I hope + pray that we become more refined by the difficulties we encounter. Obviously, it always comes down to perspective. Do we endure the trials, knowing it will make us stronger? Or do we whine and cry and wallow in our situations?

In hindsight, I sincerely believe that the times in my life where I grew (and grow) the most took place after I had suffered + endured-- times of loneliness, deep frustration, spiritual wrestling matches, and suffering. Moreso, meeting and hearing the stories of those who suffered so much greater than I has always humbled my heart by helping me realize how small many of my problems really were.

I didn't get the grade I wanted on that final paper? Ended up with a C+? My college career is doomed (They're embarrassed to admit, but they bring their kids into the local food kitchen thrice a week just so their family doesn't go to bed hungry).

I lost my cell phone? How inconvenient. (They lost their home to foreclosure + unemployment.)

She broke up with me? Biggest tragedy to befall me in years (Oh yeah? Well, he lost his wife to cancer.)

Many of our problems are smaller than they first appeared, after all. But I am reminded by Abraham particularly. He stayed obedient down to the hardest moments. When God called him to sacrifice his first born son, he obeyed. He could have rebelled, ran away, complained or said, "No way." But he obeyed, down to the very moment his son was to be slain, he stayed obedient. Why? Because Abraham knew his God was so much bigger than his mortal little mind. Abraham's faithfulness was one of his most honorable traits. God rewarded him for his faithfulness by sparing Isaac's life. And Abraham's lifestyle? Exactly why I titled this blog accordingly.

In Spanish, 'la tierra' has mutliple meanings. It means 'home', but it also means 'land' and 'earth'. The Native Americans, who preceded all the Pilgrims we learned about in 4th grade history class taking over the "New World", would likely have used this word if they spoke Spanish. In the same way, Abraham's life was nomadic. He never built a home; he pitched tents. He never built a temple, but he setup altars wherever God told him to. Why? In short, Abraham knew that this place wasn't his home.

Quote of the day

"Talent is God given. Be humble.
Fame is man-given. Be grateful.
Conceit is self-given. Be careful."
- John Gooden

Traveling until 3/20/11

Hi! I'm traveling until late March 2011, so this blog will be on pause. Follow my travel adventures here:

www.JonTheRoad.com

Sincerely,

Jon Tan

random photos from 2010 that i never got around to post...

homemade curry puff pastries by mama tan. the first shot is actually of a "failed" pastery, aka one that my mom wouldn't give to friends, but keep instead for home. because it wasn't sealed thoroughly, the curry ground beef & onions peeked out just a tad (and instead left at home for us sons). we're not complaining.





on may way to bed, i saw a pot soaking in our sink. the soap suds were just dancing on the top layer of the water, every so slightly. i spotted the water droplets leaking from our faucet, and i quickly grabbed my camera. had to get in a few snapshots before i tucked myself into bed.

towards the end of 2010, my brother had carved a watermelon for youth group. pretty neat, all hand carved.

35mm film || Black & White Photography

all images taken with Nikon 50mm 1.8 and 400speed Black & White film (shoprite? cheapy brand)

It's Officially Uploaded!

Great news! I've shared with some of you earlier (See a few blogposts back) that National Geographic's Stock Photography department asked to include one of my photos in their stock collection.

It's finally uploaded! Go ahead and place your order! If it is any incentive, I get a small commission from your orders.

Here are the steps:

1) http://www.nationalgeographicstock.com

2) Enter "Jonathan Tan" or " 1272403" in the search bar to the right.

3) Order & Enjoy!

jibaros

marinated beef, onions, lettuce, mayo, cheese in a fried-pressed plantain sandwich with seasoned rice and chorizo.

thank you chicago.

I've been invited!!!!!

National Geographic's "Your Shot" had a contest back in September 2008, and I was encouraged by a friend to submit some images.

They got back to me about a week ago, and asked to include one of my images in their stock gallery. SWEET!

Here's a screenshot of their invite page, as well as a mini version of the image they want included in their stock library.



here's a bigger version of the image:

(sorry for looking snobby, but I have to copyright it since I sent it to someone at the Central Park Zoo for identification help, as they were passing the image around to find someone who can ID the birds correctly for final submission)

If you'd like to support me, please stay tuned while I await the link for the image in their stock library.

my 5 current random thoughts

(PLEASE NOTE: images in this post are not mine. found them via google searches.)

1) i think i've teared at every wedding i've photographed thus far-- and usually its during the vow exchanges

2) never been on a blind date. a tad curious to do so.

3) i've always wanted to go to some random person's funeral, even considered scheduling 1 random funeral attendance a month. why? because it's things like death and loss and scares (tumors revealed to be benign) that give us that little wake up call in life, opening our eyes/ hearts, and put the things in life into perspective

4) not really tempted by netflix, and pretty sure I will never order it. movies are great, temporarily entertaining, and unless they come with other benefits (hanging out with others, provoking good conversations and inspiring inner creativity), i think movies are a waste of time in life., like video and computer games. why?

no one sits on their death bed and wishes they could watch that movie again, or play those games or get those high scores. most everyone wishes to spend more time with their friends, family, loved ones, experience those little moments that get your insides excited and joyful. C'mon people, isn't life suppose to be an adventure?

5) i love photography. not because the pay or the "coolness" factor that comes with carrying a neat job title, but because it's how i see the world. i see the world in moments, in silent and still frames. images that weave and connect together to bring about a story full of words, emotions, thoughts, all while tapping into the empathy of the viewer. thats why i like the title on my business card, "visual storyteller". thats how i identify and strive to be as an artist.

polaroid

polaroid

freedom at the shore

thoughts i wrote out on my phone, dated 3.6.10...

there is that sense of freedom i feel when i'm at the shore. the same warm feeling. it's that same warm feeling that overtakes when I use to walk out of a college classroom, having taken the last final before summer break. like running barefoot across an open grassy field. some people reading this blogpost may wonder why Life doesn't allot that feeling of blissful freedom to us more often?

gear: d700 + 50mm 1.4

perhaps the real question might be why don't WE seek those moments out more ourselves?