Tuesday, February 24, 2009
A + I + M = Es
For the past few months, I was in a situation where I reach a crossroad and not knowing which direction to drive towards. Instead, I was circling the roundabout, making U-turns and getting no where. Indecisiveness and worry exist. The global financial crisis doesn't help in this uncertain period. As depicted in the image above, the light always shines through the darkness.
Fortunately, some discussions with some friends have helped to make the situation a little better. Topics like drives, dreams, goals, fervour, fear and happiness were casually brought up. These have led me to come out with the acronym AIM. Having an aim helps one to be driven, and focused. This may result in feeling accomplished and dreams fulfilled.
Aspiration - a strong desire to achieve the dreams and goals
Inspiration -the ability to stimulate one's creativity
Motivation - the ability to stimulate one's interest, enthusiasm and zeal
The eventual outcome may be in various forms like Excitement, Elation, Enlightenment and even Encouragement for one to pursue further.
I've gotten my AIM. Have you?
Portraits - Mag, Eric, Alissa & Abbey
This family shoot was long overdue. Mag and I agreed on the date and location 4 days prior to the session. I have taken plenty images of Alissa in the past but haven't had many opportunities with Abbey whom we share the same birthday.
We had a good weather and lighting was most of the time soft on Sunday morning. Alissa sure did enjoy playing in the Children's Garden section of the Royal Botanical Garden.
I truly enjoy doing this, seeing the happy smiley faces and the resulting images. The above are some of my favourites which are aplenty.......!
All shot with ambient light.
Labels:
photo portrait
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Blog Revamped
Surprise at the header and banner? They look familiar?
I spent the morning revamping my blog which has been long overdue. This is to give it a more consistent look with my whoALSE website. Initially, the plan was to move and incorporate the blog into my website but decided against it since I have had so many posts with this blog. There are some minor changes too on my website but most of them are behind-the-scene coding.
Perhaps the image above signifies a new dawn of the beginning. Maybe it shows the sun always rises. Or it could just be the sign of triumph of good over evil.
This year, I may have a few new beginnings. Hopefully, they will all end on a high note. There goes wishing......!
Labels:
random
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Bonds
By that, I am not referring to the Bonds clothing line!
The past few days/weeks, I have been meeting up with some friends - schooling days, swimming days, former colleagues. It's certainly great to catch up. This echoes what I have said in the past - truest friendships are forever.
The past few days/weeks, I have been meeting up with some friends - schooling days, swimming days, former colleagues. It's certainly great to catch up. This echoes what I have said in the past - truest friendships are forever.
Labels:
random
Monday, February 16, 2009
Penang - No 22 on NY Times
Temple - Kek Lok SiCannons - Fort CornwalisSunrise overlooking the PortAn Old Post Box Along Upper Penang Road that is still being usedTown Hall
Penang is one of the 44 places to visit in 2009, as listed on New York Times. Being a Penangite, I am proud of it to be listed among the Top 44, let alone being placed at no 22! I had the opportunity to capture some shots in a part of the heritage city, a place that I have taken for granted.
These are some of the photos taken. How I wish to have more time.
Click here for more pics.
Labels:
destination,
penang,
photo
Saturday, February 14, 2009
CNY Photos Part 2 - Friends (Happy Valentine's Day)
I have been getting some emails referring to Valentine's Day being too commercialised. It's all about expensive gifts, flowers and meals. The true meaning of this very day, I guess, has been lost in translation in this modern.
Where are those days where homemade gifts and home-cooked meals? I'm sure they are some out there who still preferred these which actually comes from within.
I thought it's befitting for me to pay tribute to my friends today. Valentine's Day is also about friendships.
Here are some pics of friends taken during my recent CNY trip back to Penang:
Where are those days where homemade gifts and home-cooked meals? I'm sure they are some out there who still preferred these which actually comes from within.
I thought it's befitting for me to pay tribute to my friends today. Valentine's Day is also about friendships.
Happy Valentine's Day to all my beloved friends
Here are some pics of friends taken during my recent CNY trip back to Penang:
Thursday, February 12, 2009
CNY Photos Part 1 - Family
Continuing from my CNY post, I thought I'd post some photos after processing them.
Certainly, I would never miss the chance take plenty of pics during my trip back for CNY with my family and friends. These are moments that I will cherish for as long as I live and having them captured would allow us to travel back in time.
So, here are some of my family members that I managed to "stop the time":
Pics of my friends to come in the next post.
Certainly, I would never miss the chance take plenty of pics during my trip back for CNY with my family and friends. These are moments that I will cherish for as long as I live and having them captured would allow us to travel back in time.
So, here are some of my family members that I managed to "stop the time":
Pics of my friends to come in the next post.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
CNY in Sg
As usual, I made a stopover in Singapore on my way back from Penang. There is no direct flight to and fro from Penang and it's certainly better (safer) to stop by Changi rather than KLIA which is known to have luggages ransacked. It's more convenient to travel around in Singapore too with effective and reliable public transportations.
I met up with a couple of my uni friends and spend the only night in Singapore chatting with my aunt til around 2am. Sunday's lunch was over at aunt's neighbour's apartment where I relished so much of the food. Some dishes I miss so much since the departure of my grandma are assam fish and the prawns in thick curry (similar to grandma's style).
In fact, mom and I (as well as cousins on different ocassion) spoke just few days ago during my Pg trip about grandma's dishes like stir fried french beans (or kui tao), friend egg with onions (tua chang jian nui), soya pork (tao eu bak), mor qua char, jiu hu char (more like bang quang), tao chiao hu (fish), steamed eggs with pork (thim nui), her fried rice with thick soya sauce and tu tor th'ng (soup). These are my favourites of which my grandma did manage to cook for me some of them in July 2001 during my semester break. She passed on 3 months thereafter. It was nostalgic just to talk about it among us, the cousins. There were enthusiasm as well as sadness in us who had helped grandma in some ways during her cooking.
Anyway aunties, uncle, cousins and I had dinner in a restaurant in the airport before sending me off in T3. Looking back the 9-day trip, I did have a very good trip though I did miss Pai Thnee Kong on the 8th night of CNY and will miss the very last night of CNY, Chap Goh Meh this coming Monday!
I met up with a couple of my uni friends and spend the only night in Singapore chatting with my aunt til around 2am. Sunday's lunch was over at aunt's neighbour's apartment where I relished so much of the food. Some dishes I miss so much since the departure of my grandma are assam fish and the prawns in thick curry (similar to grandma's style).
In fact, mom and I (as well as cousins on different ocassion) spoke just few days ago during my Pg trip about grandma's dishes like stir fried french beans (or kui tao), friend egg with onions (tua chang jian nui), soya pork (tao eu bak), mor qua char, jiu hu char (more like bang quang), tao chiao hu (fish), steamed eggs with pork (thim nui), her fried rice with thick soya sauce and tu tor th'ng (soup). These are my favourites of which my grandma did manage to cook for me some of them in July 2001 during my semester break. She passed on 3 months thereafter. It was nostalgic just to talk about it among us, the cousins. There were enthusiasm as well as sadness in us who had helped grandma in some ways during her cooking.
Anyway aunties, uncle, cousins and I had dinner in a restaurant in the airport before sending me off in T3. Looking back the 9-day trip, I did have a very good trip though I did miss Pai Thnee Kong on the 8th night of CNY and will miss the very last night of CNY, Chap Goh Meh this coming Monday!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Hottest Day in Melb
The mercury topped 46.4C at around 3pm today. Previous highest was 45.6C in 1939 known as Black Friday. Strong hot winds were blowing and there were just sands and dusts flying. It was literally like a sauna. My shampoo was warm when I showered 30mins ago after returning from meeting a uni friend.
The sky had a reddish tone. It was at around 5.40pm when it started to drizzle. My light blue t-shirt and glasses had splashes of rain drops that were brownish in colour.
I met up with a uni friend of mine whom we last met during my audit work in in Subang before the F1 weekend of 2004. It's really a good catch up after almost 5 years. She's here for a work. Also, I was informed of a good news that she will be getting married in May. Congrats.....!!!
The sky had a reddish tone. It was at around 5.40pm when it started to drizzle. My light blue t-shirt and glasses had splashes of rain drops that were brownish in colour.
I met up with a uni friend of mine whom we last met during my audit work in in Subang before the F1 weekend of 2004. It's really a good catch up after almost 5 years. She's here for a work. Also, I was informed of a good news that she will be getting married in May. Congrats.....!!!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
CNY with Family and Close Friends in Penang
My short trip back to Pg passed by in a blink and now I'm back working. Although the trip was short, I have attained more in that one week than my other short trip back. Staying up til way past midnight not having to worry about getting up early was a norm. However, I did not get more opportunities for my favourite hawker food this time around since most were closed due to CNY.
To me, CNY is about getting together and catching up with family and close friends. These I managed to accomplish albeit a handful of friends whom I just was not able to fit into my schedule. It started off on the eve of CNY when we had our usual reunion dinner with family members in E&O Hotel. In the past, my late grandma used to cook in large portions of various dishes. I missed her dishes. Thereafter, I was picked up by my primary schoolmate (whose wife was my classmate) to join other primary school's classmates to their annual Kek Lok Si Temple visit. It's my first time though this bunch has been doing it since secondary school (of which I did not study there). Certainly, it was a great opportunity to catch up with them.
On the first day of CNY after having buffet lunch, I joined my uncles, aunties and cousins visiting our relatives whom I rarely meet in the last few years. This took almost the entire day and I was too tired to head out again at night or scour for food. Instead stayed home and had the pastries before knocking off.
Again after missing out the past 2 years' visit, a handful of us dropped by our swim coach's place to "pai ni". As usual, aunty cooked her noodles for us and many just couldn't resist the sambal too! Though some did mention that they will visit Lee Chek, they did not turn up. It was just the usual bunch of us with a few surprises. Was I disappointed? No, I wasn't since it was a planned gathering but more of visiting Lee Chek whom many respect. We adjourned to Uncle Sunny's place while Lee Chek might have gone to the racecourse (perhaps much later). Getting the chance to meet Uncle Sunny, Aunty Renee, Adrian and Andrew after so many years was great. It was followed by dropping by the Chans' who were my neighbours and used to be driven to the pool by aunty. I regard them more like my brother and sisters. As for dinner, it's bbq over at another swimmer's house who informed us in the morning. She got back from Hong Kong and was recently married too.
3rd day (Wed) commenced with an informal gathering of SMHK Year 1997. It was a smaller turnout compared to previous years according to some. It's certainly better than no one at all. There were 2 other friends who brought along their SLR. They suggested to have a shoot in the city on Friday morning which I couln't commit until later on. After the lunch and subsequent coffee, I headed off to shop for a netbook for mom but shops were closed. It was such a coincident that I bumped into another 2 friends, one of whom was too a swimmer (sure I won't forget you, Ah Mah since now I have a few pics of you....LOL). Next, it was a late dinner with a few friends whom we used to work together. I was about to skip dinner but somehow this other friend too hadn't had her dinner. So, off we went to Vintage Bulgarian for dinner and some beer while at it. I continued my DVD til late night after the outing. In between, mom and I chatted a fair bit too til around 4am. In fact, Monday night was the only night I slept early at 11pm. The remaining nights were earliest 1am with the latest being 4.30pm!
Thurs was spent with mom shopping for a netbook within the budget but it was either too far away (in case technical assistance/replacement was required in my absence) or no stock available for the model I was looking at. So, it was an empty attempt but getting the chance to spend more time with my mom tops it all. Later, I dropped by my cousin's place. My nieces, Emily and Valerie (whom I didn't meet before) have certainly grown up. Of course, pics of them were taken. I left to have dinner with another school friend who couldn't make it to the gathering on Wed due to work commitments.
On my last day in Penang, I got up early to join my 2 friends in the city for a casual shoot. Knowing the fact that they have SLR, I shared some ideas with them on better using the cameras. It was nice to be able to do so. After Hokkien Mee for breakfast, I left to pick my mom up to visit a temple as well as lunch (herbal chicken soup and Jawa mee). Thereafter, we stopped by my favourite shop to purchase "tambun pneah" but I was disappointed that none was available!!! :( Packing was inevitable and after gotten it almost done. I managed to catch up with my uncle who lives in Toronto for a short while. I left for my aunt's ballet academy to do an informal shoot of her students upon her request. I wasn't able to do it in my prior trips. It was an experience.
I planned way before my trip to watch this movie, Red Cliff Part 2. It was great that this friend agreed to accompany me though she hasn't watched the first part. She picked me up after her rushed dinner over at her aunt's. We were late for the show for some reasons (you know who you are and what happened! LOL). I should have driven her new car while she wasn't able to catch me doing it but too bad I didn't. What a wasted opportunity! Certainly, we both enjoyed the movie which was based on historical accounts. I am glad I got to watch this movie on the very last night in Penang.
It was a memorable trip, tiring but worthwhile stay in Penang. My gratitudes go to those who made the very effort to spend time with me. Truest friendships are forever and I'll definitely cherish them.
To me, CNY is about getting together and catching up with family and close friends. These I managed to accomplish albeit a handful of friends whom I just was not able to fit into my schedule. It started off on the eve of CNY when we had our usual reunion dinner with family members in E&O Hotel. In the past, my late grandma used to cook in large portions of various dishes. I missed her dishes. Thereafter, I was picked up by my primary schoolmate (whose wife was my classmate) to join other primary school's classmates to their annual Kek Lok Si Temple visit. It's my first time though this bunch has been doing it since secondary school (of which I did not study there). Certainly, it was a great opportunity to catch up with them.
On the first day of CNY after having buffet lunch, I joined my uncles, aunties and cousins visiting our relatives whom I rarely meet in the last few years. This took almost the entire day and I was too tired to head out again at night or scour for food. Instead stayed home and had the pastries before knocking off.
Again after missing out the past 2 years' visit, a handful of us dropped by our swim coach's place to "pai ni". As usual, aunty cooked her noodles for us and many just couldn't resist the sambal too! Though some did mention that they will visit Lee Chek, they did not turn up. It was just the usual bunch of us with a few surprises. Was I disappointed? No, I wasn't since it was a planned gathering but more of visiting Lee Chek whom many respect. We adjourned to Uncle Sunny's place while Lee Chek might have gone to the racecourse (perhaps much later). Getting the chance to meet Uncle Sunny, Aunty Renee, Adrian and Andrew after so many years was great. It was followed by dropping by the Chans' who were my neighbours and used to be driven to the pool by aunty. I regard them more like my brother and sisters. As for dinner, it's bbq over at another swimmer's house who informed us in the morning. She got back from Hong Kong and was recently married too.
3rd day (Wed) commenced with an informal gathering of SMHK Year 1997. It was a smaller turnout compared to previous years according to some. It's certainly better than no one at all. There were 2 other friends who brought along their SLR. They suggested to have a shoot in the city on Friday morning which I couln't commit until later on. After the lunch and subsequent coffee, I headed off to shop for a netbook for mom but shops were closed. It was such a coincident that I bumped into another 2 friends, one of whom was too a swimmer (sure I won't forget you, Ah Mah since now I have a few pics of you....LOL). Next, it was a late dinner with a few friends whom we used to work together. I was about to skip dinner but somehow this other friend too hadn't had her dinner. So, off we went to Vintage Bulgarian for dinner and some beer while at it. I continued my DVD til late night after the outing. In between, mom and I chatted a fair bit too til around 4am. In fact, Monday night was the only night I slept early at 11pm. The remaining nights were earliest 1am with the latest being 4.30pm!
Thurs was spent with mom shopping for a netbook within the budget but it was either too far away (in case technical assistance/replacement was required in my absence) or no stock available for the model I was looking at. So, it was an empty attempt but getting the chance to spend more time with my mom tops it all. Later, I dropped by my cousin's place. My nieces, Emily and Valerie (whom I didn't meet before) have certainly grown up. Of course, pics of them were taken. I left to have dinner with another school friend who couldn't make it to the gathering on Wed due to work commitments.
On my last day in Penang, I got up early to join my 2 friends in the city for a casual shoot. Knowing the fact that they have SLR, I shared some ideas with them on better using the cameras. It was nice to be able to do so. After Hokkien Mee for breakfast, I left to pick my mom up to visit a temple as well as lunch (herbal chicken soup and Jawa mee). Thereafter, we stopped by my favourite shop to purchase "tambun pneah" but I was disappointed that none was available!!! :( Packing was inevitable and after gotten it almost done. I managed to catch up with my uncle who lives in Toronto for a short while. I left for my aunt's ballet academy to do an informal shoot of her students upon her request. I wasn't able to do it in my prior trips. It was an experience.
I planned way before my trip to watch this movie, Red Cliff Part 2. It was great that this friend agreed to accompany me though she hasn't watched the first part. She picked me up after her rushed dinner over at her aunt's. We were late for the show for some reasons (you know who you are and what happened! LOL). I should have driven her new car while she wasn't able to catch me doing it but too bad I didn't. What a wasted opportunity! Certainly, we both enjoyed the movie which was based on historical accounts. I am glad I got to watch this movie on the very last night in Penang.
It was a memorable trip, tiring but worthwhile stay in Penang. My gratitudes go to those who made the very effort to spend time with me. Truest friendships are forever and I'll definitely cherish them.
Gong Xi Fa Chai
It's still Chinese New Year of which is celebrated for 15 days. I missed once again the "Pai Thnee Kong" night on the 8th night and will miss again the Chap Goh Meh.
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