It Started Snowing, Finally
I found out about the incoming snowstorm a few days prior. Initially, it was forecasted to start in the morning, then around noon, but it eventually hit us around 4 pm. It was quite intense. We might get about eight inches by tomorrow morning.
StartedSnowingFinallycarsofficeparking lotsdsioux fallssnowsouth dakotavviwork
Hard to Keep It Clean
It is hard to keep a car clean in the winter months. For a white car, it is almost impossible. But sometimes, it can stay clean for a few days.
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The Icy Path Led Me Here
Even though it was gloomy out, I still went out looking for some sceneries to make photos about. As you might expect, there were not a lot to choose from. This usually won't stop me to go out and look. Next time I will wear a better pair of shoes to walk on ice.
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Thawing Winter
The above-freezing temperature in the last few days had decreased the amount of snow on the ground significantly. I don't believe for a bit that winter is over. I feel like a big snowstorm is coming. I hope I am wrong.
The Last One Home
Sometimes it pays to be the one who closes the shop. I had to stay late because some stuff just could not wait until the next day. The colors were just too good to pass on.
TheLastOneHomeblue skycarsparking lotsdsioux fallssouth dakotasunsettreeswinter
2017 South Dakota ADDY Awards Judges
A group of us from work went to monthly SDAF (South Dakota Advertising Federation) luncheon. This month's luncheon was to introduce the Addy's judges. It was basically a q&a session. It was a learning experience about the industry.
2017SouthDakotaaddyAwardsjudgesadvertisingfederationluncheonsdsdafsioux fallssouth dakota
The Morning Commute
The morning commute when it closer to 8 am. It took probably about another 7 minutes extra compared to if I started earlier. My commute is usually not more than 20 minutes. It's not too bad.
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When Rain Turned into Ice
Freezing rain was forecasted for the area. In started raining by the end of the day and slowly the rain turned to a layer of ice. The main road conditions were fine, but the residential area was a bit slippery. I took some extra time to cautiously drive home.
WhenRainTurnedintoicedrivewayroadsdsioux fallsslipperysnowsouth dakotawater
Getting Ready for Second Period
A scene from my first hockey game for the year. It was also my first time to the Premier Center. I had a good time even though we didn't win. Let's go Stampede!
GettingReadyforSecondPeriodgame nighthockeyicelocalpremier centersioux fallssouth dakotasportstampede
She Got Free Wings
We went to the hockey game and she got a free coupon for some wings. The coupons were dropped from a remote controlled blimp and one of the coupon flew down by her and she caught it. I am sure it made her day.
SheGotFreeWingscrowdeventgame nighthockeykidspeoplepremier centersioux fallssouth dakotastampede
Untitled, Unmarked, Almost Unnoticed Art
At the Kirby Science Discovery Center, Washington Pavilion, there is a piece of art tucked on a corner. No label or marking for it. Visitors would most likely pay more attention the space exhibits around it
UnmarkedAlmostUnnoticedartcolorskirby science discovery centerksdcmosaicsioux fallssouth dakotatextureswashington pavilion
It's Not Just on Sundays
Church activities are not only on Sundays. There are plenty of activities on other days too. This was Wednesday evening. Kids start their weekly get-together this week. Kids from kindergarten to high school filled the church this evening.
It'sNotJustSundayschurcheveningnightoak hills baptistsioux fallssnowsouth dakotawednesdaywinter
All You Need
A coworker made this chalk art as a prop for a tv spot we did at work. It looks nice, so I made a photo of it. I am not a coffee drinker and have nothing against the people who does.
AllYouNeedartbwblack and whiteboardchalkscriptsioux fallssouth dakota
One Bite at a Time
I don't know Cindi. I went to the park to make photos and stumbled on a park bench with a pine needle arrangement on it and took a closer look. Obviously, the park bench was installed in memory of Cindi.
A couple of friends actually knew Cindi. One of shared a bit about her:
Luis, Cindi was an awesome lady. She started out as my boss along with her husband, Roger Nikodym, and she eventually became my friend, She died from cancer in 2014. I drove her to the doctor just a few weeks before she died and she was still determined to win. I still have her "One Bite at a Time" bracelet made when she found out she had cancer. She fought cancer much like she lived life. She never gave up until she had no choice and never backed away from anything she felt important without a fight, I think of her often at the weirdest times. That family is very special to me...... Thanks for sharing the photo of this beautiful reminder of her.OneBiteTimefarm fieldfarm field parkparksioux fallssouth dakotawinter
Moonlit Winter Night
A cloudless sky with the partial moon lit the evening. The sun has just set and now it's the moon's turn to guard the night. It was such a pretty sight.
moonmoonlitwinterNightbike pathbranchesiceparkpasley parksioux fallssnowsouth dakotasunsettrees
The Woods Down by the Frozen River
I thought I started too late for making photos to the location. It was quite dark. The sun was already on the horizon when I got to the park. The temperature was in the single digit. It was quite cold. I will definitely dress warmer next time.
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Chevy Nova
Another American classic, Chevy Nova. It is simply just a muscle car; lots of power and big tires.
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Pontiac GTO
I didn't grow up with American classic cars, but it still brings the sentimental feeling for the period when these cars were the latest and greatest.
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Heard Them Moved
It was an overcast day. The sunset would be a gloomy, cloudy one and it got dark sooner than expected. I got to the park and looked around for a subject. On the way back to the car, heard some noise from the woods not far from me. There was a herd of deer walking away from me. If they didn't move, I would not have noticed them. There were four more deer to the right of this photo.
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The First Snowfall of 2017
The first day of the year and we had the first snowfall in 2017. It would be the wrong place to live if one doesn't like winter here, or at least accept it as part of life.
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One Last Sunset for the Year
This is from my last outing for the year on making photos. As much as I am thankful for the past year, I am looking forward to more opportunities in making photos in the future. There are much more to learn and share. Thank you very much 2016, welcome 2017. I am not done yet.
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Seeing Gold
The last day of the year. I am reminiscing the past year, the good, the great, and the not so good; looking forward to what lies ahead. May you receive more golden opportunities in the times ahead. Let's make the best of what we have.
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Here For the Lights and Sunset
Every year the Falls Park is decorated with lights. There were not much snow on the ground, but don't be mistaken, it was still really cold. The strong wind made it even colder. I always like the park all year round, especially with the cold weather.
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The End of a Work Day
The week between Christmas and the New Year. The lowest motivation time to do work for most, but there are still things need to get done. The sunset is still magnificent, though.
May There Be Peace on Earth
Christmas eve service with the Church. Celebrating Christmas together as a community, spreading joy and peace to others. May the spirit of Christmas be with you and your family.
MayTherePeaceEarthcandlecandle lightchristmaschristmas evechurchcongregationoak hillsservicesioux fallssouth dakotaworship
Frozen Big Sioux River
I don't know how thick the ice was and didn't want to test it with my own body weight. It was cold and there were still a few runners using the bike path that day.
FrozenBigSiouxRiverbike pathblack and whitecherry rock parkcloudyfrosticeparkpathsioux fallssnowsouth dakotatreeswinter
Frosty Afternoon on the Bike Path
Christmas eve day, it was a frosty kind of day. The morning fog and the freezing temperature caused the frost. It covered all the branches. The city employees worked hard to keep the path clear of snow and ice.
FrostyAfternoontheBikepathbike pathcherry rock parkcloudyfrosticeparksioux fallssnowsouth dakotatreeswinter
It's Cold Even Before the Winter Starts
Even when it is freezing outside, your friends and family will keep you warm, even when they are thousands of miles away. May they are close in your heart and the memories bring you joy.
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In the Moment, Frozen in Time
We all had the second half of the day off at work. I took the opportunity to go to the park, again. It was a cloudy, overcast weather, and just a bit above the freezing temperature.
theMomentFrozenTimebuildingcloudyfalls parkrocksnowsouth dakotawaterwaterfallwinter. sioux falls
Office With a View
The view out of the window of the office where I work. I started my job at the start of the week. I am blessed with a job not even three weeks after I arrived. One of the sweet things I am really thankful for to end this year strong.
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Falls Park at Dark
I was planning to get to the park around sunset, but I got held up by the train. The sky got too dark; I better try again some other time.
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Chariots for Children, Sioux Falls
An event over the weekend for community involvement opportunity. Families came and assembled bicycles, in varying sizes, for families whom might need them.
ChariotsforchildrenSiouxFallsairway auto servicebikeschariots for childrensioux fallssouth dakotawinter
Boiling Water and Below Freezing Condition
The temperature was -10 degrees (Fahrenheit). Boiling water turned to powder in seconds, but room temperature water stayed about the same.
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Sunlessness and Colorlessness State of Winter
This is not a black and white photo. It is the depressing part of winter. Sometimes it lasts for several days or weeks at a time. Besides the cold, the sun is hidden behind the clouds, daylight is rendered with muted colors. It's a perfect time to hang out with friends and forget about the not so good part of winter.
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A Windy Cold Winter Sunset
I am still looking for the opportunity to make some winter sunset photo this year. There are still a few weeks left to the year. It is definitely cold out. I won't last long without a proper gear.
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Kids' Christmas Program
Part of celebrating Christmas is to include everybody, especially the kids. It is surprising on what these small people can teach us all.
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Winter Sky
The first winter after being gone for awhile. I definitely forgot how cold it can get, but it is a welcomed change from the hot and humid. It is nice to be able to see snow again.
WinterSkybwblack and whitecloudssioux fallsstripessunwinter sky
Last Layover, Waiting for the Plane
Sleep deprived, excited, and tired, all together hit me at the same time while waiting for the plane for the last leg of the trip back. It felt like it was the longest but greatest trip I have ever taken.
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Twin Lakes, Colorado
On our descent to Denver, Colorado. Over the Rockies and small towns in Colorado. It definitely looks like winter down there. I got the position based on the flight path from Flight Aware and the time stamp of the photo. Plot the path on Google Earth and found the area.
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Colorado's Rocky Mountains
Getting closer to Denver, we flew over The Rockies. It is a vast mountainous area stretches more than 3000 miles from the northernmost part of British Columbia to New Mexico.
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