Day 200 - One of my favourite places in Morocco!

As 2013 comes to an end, I'm a bit reflective. It's been an incredible year, with lots of happy news for my family and friends - numerous weddings and births, celebrating 10 years of MuslimFest, new jobs and new cars, and great adventures in distant lands. Don't get me wrong, there have also been many moments of less than happy experiences that have offered opportunity for reflection and/or development. It's been a busy year and for all of it, I'm thankful!

So, today's picture is a tribute to the one thing that will forever mark this year for me -- my trip to Morocco.  I learned so much about myself and the world around me on this trip.  I made some life long friends (insha'Allah/ God-willing).  I experienced a whole different life.  The funny thing is, of all the fascinating and wonderful places I saw/visited, this was one of my favourite places.  Some of you viewing this might recognize it, because it is part of your home.

Why, you might ask, was this particular place my favourite? This rooftop was my sanctuary, a place to get away and reflect, especially since anywhere I went I had to take someone with me. Don't get me wrong, I loved the company, but sometimes you just need some solitude.  So, this is to where I would steal away when I needed those moments to myself (like at a very loud wedding party), or just wanted to reflect and write. No one ever figured it out, and I'm glad; this place was mine.

Day 199 - Icy waterdrops

After the snow came the rain.  Even though it was icy, it was beautiful.  Of course the danger is with all the ice building up on the branches, they become very heavy, and some come down.... like that of the neighbours!

Day 198 - Orange Poinsettias

Another wreath, this time with orange poinsettias.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't poinsettias red, pink or white only? 

Day 197 - Fake snow?

I saw this and wondered, is it supposed to be a snow covered pine cone?  Everything else on this wreath was natural, except the pine cones.  I did think it looked nice, just not natural.

Day 196 - JOY!

Ever find there are a lot of different and interesting décor items out around Christmas?  This was at the local grocery store.  It sums up one of the best part of the this festive season... joy in everyone's eyes!

I have to admit to take this shot, I did have to move some (ugly price) signs out of the way. I promise I put them all back.

Day 195 - Spiky pine needles

I love macro photography, I don't have a macro lens, so I do what I can.  Here are some pine needles.  I don't tend to like shots with so much yellow-green in it, but it works here.

Day 194 - Happy Holidays!

From my family to yours!

Another picture I took from the first real snowfall we had!

Day 193 - Snowy berries

Isn't it amazing what you can find to photograph if you just look at your surroundings?  This is a bush that was just down my street.  I can't say that I ever noticed it before.

I wonder what type of berries these are, they look sort of like blueberries, but they aren't. If you know, please let me know!

Day 192 - Serenity!

I don't know what it is about this shot, I just love it!

Day 191 - Pristine snowy....ski trail?

Another shot from the first snow fall.  Walking down this path reminded me of skiing, something else I haven't done in ages. I need to find someone to take skiing!

Day 190 - Snow covered footbridge

This bridge should look familiar.  It's on the trial near my house.  Doesn't it look so different covered in snow? I love my winter wonderland.

Day 189 - Sledding with the family

So, we had our first major snow storm of the season!  Unlike most people, I love snow, so needless to say, I was excited! (What's not to love about snow??) So, I went out that night when it was coming down, and then again the next day to enjoy the serenity that takes hold after a snow fall.  I also took pictures...the world looks so different enveloped by a fresh blanket of snow.  

This is a picture of a family taking the time to enjoy the fresh snow.  The parents were having as much fun as the kids sledding.  Such love!

I played around with this one in Photoshop.  I didn't like it in colour, and tried black and white and it just didn't feel right. This semi sepia won me over. Now if only the tree was not in the way.

Day 188 - Relaxing

After posting a picture of this little one with the funniest expression on her face, I thought I would post a nice picture of her.  Here is a picture of her relaxing in her bubble bath.  I know this picture is not in focus, but it's one of the few you can even see baby's eyes.  Don't you just love her?

Day 187 - Enough already! (Photographing babies)

I was hanging out with a friend and her baby the other night, and as per my usual, I was taking pictures of them.  My friend welcomes it, since she doesn't really have any pictures with her little angel!  Every time I found a place that had either good lighting or a nice background we would stop to take pictures.  The thing with photographing children you just have no idea what they will do... They definitely keep you entertained!

This picture was the last one I took of the night.  I think little one had enough of the camera being in her face!

Day 186 - Lighted trees

If you haven't noticed by now, yes, I love lights...  I am very particular about the type of lights I like.  I didn't love these lights, but I did like the way this image looked desaturated.

Day 185 - Stars

I know this one is much like the previous one, but, the focus is the stars.... or at least that is what I had hoped.  What I really wanted to do was take a picture from directly under the arch, but I didn't have skates on, so I wasn't allowed on the ice.  Maybe another time.

Day 184 - Lighted arch

I just liked this image of the single arch... and the skater that happened to back into my picture!

Day 183 - Arches Toronto style

I really wanted to see Nathan Phillips Square, because it always looks so beautiful at this time of year.  I'm not going to lie, I was little disappointed.  I remember it being so much prettier in the past.  I do love these lights on the arches and the stars hanging from them.

Day 182 - Moon over TO

Today, just after the sun set, as the city was settling in for the night. The next couple of days will be devoted to pictures I took this evening at City Hall/Nathan Phillips Square. I've been dying to go skating, and though I was at the rink...didn't quite make it onto the ice!

Day 181 - You can find love everywhere...

If you are a Facebook friend, you may have seen this one.  I took this about 2 years ago when I was at the airport seeing a friend off.  We were waiting for boarding time, and I started playing with the paper sleeve from my coffee cup. Yup, I made a heart and took a million pictures of it.  This was one of my favourites.

Day 180 - Contradictions?

From the archives again.  This picture was out of focus, so I decided to use a filter on this one.  I like it so much better as a drawing.  As I was editing, I noticed the word... COMFORT, AUTHORITY, JUDGEMENT, EFFICIENCY and VIRTUE.... I'm not sure they are words I would put together, and may be that is why I took this picture.

Day 179 - Looking across to a different land

In a reflective mood these days, and was looking through my pictures from when I was living in Ottawa.  I recall this day... was having a couple of rough days at school, it was a beautiful day outside, so I just took off and went for a walk along the Ottawa River Parkway.  In this picture we are looking across the water to Quebec!

If you knew Quebec, you would understand that title!

Day 178 - Reflecting with the ducks

Also taken the my sister's birthday years ago. I just liked the way this one looked.  My brother. Reflective.

Day 177 - Sunset in the Park

This is from 2009, on my sister's birthday.  We had a mini picnic in the park and then wandered around taking pictures in the incredible light.

Day 176 - Early morning construction

I'm obsessed with pictures I've taken of the sun, whether they are sunsets or sunrises.  This is one I took January of last year at a Habitat for Humanity Toronto build.  I remember getting to the site when it was still a little dark.  As we got ready for the safety speech, I could see the sun rising through the homes we were framing.

I was so glad that I took this photo that day, as it was that day that I came to really and truly understand and appreciate what Habitat does.  It was FREEZING that day!  Throughout the day I had to take breaks in the volunteer trailer, since I could feel my fingers and toes; I couldn't wait to get home, take a long hot shower and just surround myself with warm! What do people who don't have a home do on days like that?

Day 175 - The end of a long day

This was taken on the Summer Equinox last year. There is so much I love about this photo... I was fasting that day, and I really welcomed the sunset, and what was more amazing than being greeted with this view? No editing on this one!

Day 174 - Being comfortable

More than mastering your tools, as a photographer, I think the most important thing a photographer must have is the ability to make your subject feel comfortable.  Ok... maybe they are both equally important. This photo is one I took of my friend/model during the shoot I was doing for the contest.  We were in between ideas, and she was just relaxing.  I just love how natural and relaxed she is in this shot.

Day 173 - "Am I ready?"

Final picture/entry I'm going to post from the contest I had intended to enter.  This photo was supposed to tell the story of a girl contemplating wearing the hijab. I wasn't able to capture the exact images I wanted, so I just didn't bother entering the contest.  Next time, I have to bring a tripod to set up my camera and leave it!

Am I ready?

NOTE: I actually recall, I did enter the contest, they just never accepted the entry.  I guess I didn't submit what they were seeking, OR I wasn't up to par.

Day 172 - Through the window in Rabat...

We spent a lot of time in Rabat while in Morocco.  We had business in Rabat, so we didn't do a lot of sightseeing.  What little we did, it was hard to take pictures since we were mostly in the car or we were told not to take pictures.  This picture I had to edit to make it a little less washed out, since I took it through a dirty car window.

Day 171 - Telling a story...

Looking at this picture I know that most probably will not like it...  It's unfocussed....if you merely glance at it, and don't take it all in.  Why did it move me to include it as today's photo?  Looking through my photos of Morocco, this is one of the few that actually tell a story.  A real story with real people.  You can see the joy on both their faces, the unfocussed nature adds to the energy, and, well, the memories it brings to mind warms my heart.  Oh, how I miss this little one's spirit and energy!

Trust

What does story does this image tell you? Wanna know the story.... ask me sometime.

Day 170 - The view from camelback

While in Morocco, I had an opportunity to ride a camel in Marrakesh (Marrakech).  It was fun! My camel was so certain that I wanted to take the ride, that the second I sat on him, he got up.  I still had my cell in hand, so I took a few random (and I do mean random) photos.  The sun was shining much too bright, so I couldn't really see what was on the screen.  I took a few good shots, like this one of our guide.

Day 169 - Being rained out

This is also from the photo contest I intended to enter.  I was trying to set up a shot, where it looked as though children had abandoned their play.  Before I completed my set up, it started to rain, and I did have to abandon it.  The rain actually made this picture for me!

Day 168 - Ribbons of light at night

So, I'm finally getting around to editing photos I took in the past. This is from a contest I was going to enter.  I was trying light writing, and well, that didn't work out too well.  This is one of my test shots to figure out composition and settings.  I liked the ribbons of light from the passing cars.

Day 167 - A fallen tree

Just recently had a chance to edit some photos from the summer. Here is one from a time I met with a friend and we went for a walk in the park, talked about everything and nothing.  It was a great day away from all the stresses of life.

Beyond chatting, we were trying to take very particular pictures that I had envisioned.  Sadly, those didn't work out, but I really did love this one.

Day 166 - Anthurium

Random Anthurium I saw at the grocery store.  Don't you think that it looks plastic?  I assure you, it is real.

Day 165 - 'Tis the season

Was at the mall in this weekend, and this is what I saw... It's not early for the holiday season, but I had forgotten how elaborate the set up can be.  I went another mall, and saw that they had Santa there too.  I personally don't celebrate Christmas, but I do love Christmas because of the ubiquitous "Christmas spirit"!

Day 164 - Under the street lights

Another photo from my early morning walk.  I really liked how these plants (no idea what they are!) looked against the sky under the orange street lights. 

Day 163 - Water droplets

This was taken about 3 minutes after the one I posted yesterday.  The water drops on the trees from the morning fog was mesmerising. 

Day 162 - Hydrant

As I was walking home, I noticed this fire hydrant, and thought, when did hydrants become yellow?  If you look at the top, you can see the silver reflective paint fighting it's way through.

You can't really tell, but this was taken as the sun was rising.

Day 161 - Self-portrait

When I was at the Air and Space Museum, I happened upon this thermal imaging camera... or something.  I actually have no idea what it was, but I had to take a self portrait. I think most people actually missed this until they saw me taking a picture of this screen.  So, yes, this is a little blurry, but I didn't have the opportunity to retake it.

I really don't like selfies...so, this is probably the closest I'll get to being on my own blog!  

Day 160 - Wedding bouquet

Ever take a picture that you take and feel that it's nice, but not the greatest, but everyone else loves it?  This is one such picture.  This was from the friend's wedding from a few years ago.  I love the bouquet, but not in love with the photo.  I guess, at the end of the day, when you are taking pictures for a friend, it's about what they like and not your vision.

Day 159 - Colourful make-up

This is from a few years ago when a friend was getting married.  She asked me to come along for a make-up trial, and while the artists worked away, I took random pictures for my friend.  Although I think there are way too many colours of various make-up products out there, I love colour! So, I took pictures of the eye shadows.

Day 158 - A place to call home

I'm volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, and I have to say it is one of the most rewarding experiences. I love charity that you are invested in more than merely donating money.  With this organization you can see your "donation" (of time) at work in a real way, touching the lives of real people.

I love this tradition that they have at Habitat, where the volunteers are allowed to write messages to the families receiving the homes, and these get built right into the supports of the home.

Day 157 - Not quite a spice market

This was the closet I got to a spice market in Morocco.  This was taken in the market place close to where I was staying. I love the different textures and colours you find in the markets.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take more photos in the market, since every time I tried to take a photo, the shop owner wanted to be paid for it.  It was strange.  As it was, this picture was taken surreptitiously!

Day 156 - Any idea...?

I was looking at my pictures from Baltimore and DC, and this was among them.  Can't for the life of me figure out what it is, but thought it looked really interesting.

Any ideas what it might be?

Day 155 - "...placed for you the stars...."

Really busy these days, so just added some text to the astrolabe...

Day 154 - Astrolabe

When I was in Washington, DC I spent a lot of time at the Air and Space Museum.  Though I'm not in the sciences, they do fascinate me.  Place like the Air and Space Museum are amazing displays of human ingenuity! This picture is one such display.  This is an astrolabe from early Islamic history.  An astrolabe is used to locate and predict the positions of the sun, moon, planets, and stars, making it a useful tool for mariners (for navigation) and astronomers.  In the Islamic world, it was also used to calculate the Qibla (direction of prayer) and to find the times for prayers. Such simple (?) yet effective technology!

Day 153 - Slowly...

I've been staring at this photo and playing around with it on my phone.  This is what I ended up doing with it.  What do you think?

Edited this on the PhotoGrid app on my phone.

Day 152 - Mosque shining with light

I don't know how I missed this one before.  This is a picture of a mosque just after the sunset prayers.  I loved the colour of the sky, so I decided that I would take a picture of the minaret with this light behind it.  Love the light burst effect.

Day 151 - Light fixture

If you are a Facebook friend or follower, you have seen this one already.  I liked it so much, I thought it was worth putting up here.  I love this light fixture a local pizza place/cafe in Morocco, so I had to take a picture.