Seeing is Believing, Believing is Seeing

I've always love to travel since young. Competitive swimming has given me the opportunities to travel places where not many would consider them as resorts and holidays while meeting new friends. I miss those carefree days whereby the routines were just eat, sleep, study and swim with nothing else to worry about. I would give 100% in training sessions just so I could qualify for some outstation competitions in order to travel as these were the only holidays I could have as a kid. There was no such thing as vacation where no swimming competitions involved.

Even then, I still got to learn so much from so "little". These exposures have made me more independent at a younger age and be more responsible for myself as well as others. Back then, staying in luxurious motels (not hotels) was a rare occasion. Dormitories with filthy restrooms, cockroaches, mosquitoes and bed-bugs were norms. I could recall once in Kota Kinabalu that I felt something crawling near my bed while trying to sleep in a humid night without a fan and only realised that it's a cockroach upon jumping off the upper bunk!

The interesting part would be the stories of one seeing "something" or felt something "weird". It didn't matter who he/she was as it could cause the sensations to both us as swimmers and the officials! I was fortunate not to have those experience by being more respectful of the surroundings....! Whew....

The urge to travel still exist in me but it's not easily fulfilled with limited leaves available as well as resources [think mortgages...!]! The urge has been further amplified since our first actual family holiday in Beijing back in 2004.

Having said that, I was and still am very excited when I received an Xmas gift (which is very rare) that has once again flamed the fire in me for more travel adventures. I'll certainly list out plenty of places I want to visit. A masterplan will be in the works soon but bring on the Kiwi land and Land of the Rising Sun, hopefully soon and with fellow adventure-seekers, esp the person who gave me the gift...

I stumbled upon this book collection while staying over at my aunt's place in Singapore and out came my camera. How befitting it is to have the photo of the gift taken alongside The World Book collection that belongs to my uncle.

Thank you so very much for the book that meant so much to me. So much with so little...

Glutton Nite Out Relishing Korean BBQ

While I am awake at 5am on the very last day of 2009, I had to write about this incident happened few days ago in Sg as it's such a funny experience of which will certainly go down memory lane.

A cousin, AH, is looking at getting a new laptop and I tagged along since we'd be having dinner later with his bro, AY before heading for a night shoot. We headed to Sim Lim Square and I was advised to avoid stores at ground level be it computers or camera gear!

Anyway, it was decided that we would head to Bugis since it's just a short walk from SLS. Korean buffet dinner was the choice the brothers decided. That's one good decision. However, the subsequent decision and action (rather inaction by the other 2 persons) led to the hilarious incident!

We were left with an order form to choose our dishes. Guys being guys, we left the ordering with AH to hasten the ordering process with a single decision-maker. I recalled AH asked me, "Do you eat everything?" and it didn't hit me (and AY) until much later!! I wouldn't say this led to us being regret for what AH did or what AY and I didn't do but what a surprise we had.

The dishes kept coming and coming, filling up our table that's meant for 4 seaters comfortably. This was even after we started emptying the existing dishes! AY started to feel full from looking at the plates on the table. The look on our faces would have been "the moment", but alas, we were all shocked at the amount of food we had to have and would have to relish!


Obviously, AY and I were curious what else would there be. So, we asked and the response we got hit us so hard we were in a fit of laughter, realising the impact of the question AH posted earlier. AH literally ticked every meat in the order form, minus mutton! All sorts of pork, beef, chicken and prawns with various flavours!

AY indeed went out for fresh air a few times but he was the first to "quit" the adventure. Glory probably belongs to me that dinner that lasted almost 90mins of continuous eating, thanks to AH!

It was certainly a memorable glutton nite with these 2 brothers of mine, one of whom will never be ordering food again (no prize for right answer) and if he did we'll make sure it's not everything in the menu again! Nevertheless, it was a great dinner - "sum"-tious yet delirious!

The brethren
p/s: The walk for the night shoot was indeed helpful. The next morning, I was woken up early to clear my bowel while AY was feeling full still!

Memorable Trip Home

My trip back home was certainly very tiring but worth every single moment of it - from chatting with my beloved swim coach, assisting in friend's wedding, Saigon trip with my folks to catching up with cousins and meeting up with friends over Xmas period. I hardly had sufficient sleep without even acclimatised to the time difference. As such, fatigues actually hit me towards my last 2 days in Penang.

Seeing the faces and the expressions for the surprises is priceless. These are certainly etched into my memory.

Having said that, I didn't really take many photos other than friend's wedding celebrations. I guess I just wanted a break and soaked in.

Unlike other trips back, I didn't have a more affirmative schedule for my next return due to some uncertainties.

Here is a shot while staying over in Singapore and was brought there by cousins who are photography enthusiasts:

Got loads to process from friend's wedding to Saigon's trip (not many though)......

Friendships

The Mansion in Werribee ParkThere were some cute moments before this snap (think crab's movements) Geelong HostsUncle, The Legend, with his Apprentice (depending on which topic, could be a reverse)Wii Fit Hula Hoop moments (I beat them all with 314)!I'm not bad at Yoga too!

In the last few weeks, I have had some friends visiting Melbourne with a couple staying over my humble place. It's tiring but certainly fun to be able to catchup.

We visited The Mansion in Werribee, Torquay and had a BBQ over at a friend's house in Geelong. There were some memorable moments like the group pic above in The Mansion, the "Tua Ki" heat-stroke indicent in Torquay, the group pic where we dipped our feet into the cooling seawater in Torquay (friends' cameras which we are still waiting for the pics), the Hokkien song by Chicken Wing, sharing of medical knowledge by the Doc and Uncle's awesome stories.

There were some Wii Fit sessions too and I didn't know Wii Fit actually means one has to be quite fit to accomplish some of the exercises. Hula Hoop sessions, some Yoga poses and muscle toning are notable ones where we still need a lot more practices (just to note, I need not as much as the Doc....LOL).

We grew up with one another as well as going through some ups and downs together. I guess that one tiny little strand of string has bonded us together for life. Friendships are forever but it's still up to us to at least make an effort to cherish them. That effort was definitely apparent here.

Happy Easter

The Grand Illusionist

After being informed by a friend over the weekend that David will be in Melbourne for one show only, I couldn't resist myself and have confirmed that I will be attending it come 15 August 2009. Hopefully, the show "An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion" won't be cancelled. The David I'm referring to is the one and only David Copperfield.

I was amazed watching his feats on TV. Making Statue of Liberty disappear and re-appear, walking through the Great Wall of China, standing in the vortex of fire (Tornado of Fire) and his levitation, just to name, are some of the unforgettable experience. I'm certain that seeing him live on stage will be another "out of body" experience!

Excited I am though it's more than 4 months away!

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.

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!

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.....!!!

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.

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.

Keong Hee Huat Chye

In a few hours, I'll be flying back to my hometown for Chinese New Year. I've missed two previous family reunion dinners and I must not missed this year's for personal reasons. It will be a different CNY this time around.

It has been brought up by others that the meaning of CNY and family reunion dinners have become less important for the younger generations. Some would not be able to make it back due to studies, financial constraints and work whereby CNY is not recognised as a public holiday in some countries.

I grew up playing plenty fireworks before they were officially banned and have some wonderful memories of them. Almost every year back then as a kid, we the cousins will have a "war" with neighbours which lit up the sky. However, there was one incident where one of the fireworks which I lit came back at me, hitting one of my eyes!

I do miss my grandma's dishes prepared for the reunion dinners. The past 7 reunion dinners and this year's are held in a hotel restaurant that caters CNY dishes that are so different from my grandma's. Speaking of which, I can still taste some of those dishes now.

Anyway, I can't wait for this short trip back where I'll be catching up with my wonderful family, beloved coach and some close friends.

Wishing everyone a prosperous Ox year ahead.

KEONG HEE HUAT CHYE

Chris & Fred - 22 Nov 2008

Time passes so quickly. I was requested to cover their wedding event some time early this year (could be late last year). Having no such experience back then, I was hesitant, though honoured, since it's an important occasion. Chris mentioned that she's more comfortable with me than a stranger. After several months of being guided by a fellow photographer friend, I accepted the challenge (partly also of their persistence =P).

As mentioned in the earlier post for the wedding pics of my beloved friends, below are some of the shots taken. The weather was too cold and windy that led us to cancel the location shoots which had been planned for some time. However, we did brave the chilly weather to have some done before calling it quit.
We have agreed to do the location shoots in 2009.

Congrats again to my wonderful friends, Chris & Fred! And thank you for giving me the honour of documenting your wedding day.

A Day To Reminisc

22 Nov 2008 is definitely a day to remember for some of us. It is the wedding day of my beloved friends. Due to this event, some of us managed to catch up with some good old friends back from the Uni days in Perth. I was excited for not only the wedding but the chance to meet up.

There of course were some interesting incidents that happened on this very day. Closure of a part of the road leading to the Church, "missing" champagne from the hired stretched limo, the breakdown of the hired limo, the winter-like weather with strong winds, hails, etc were some of the "excitements".

I unquestionably agreed with what the Groom said in his speech. "I rather marry the right girl on a wrong day than to marry the wrong girl on the right day".

Certainly, however these incidents are being looked at, it was a day to remember.

Time passes by so very quickly. One of our friends left last night. Getting the chance to meet up for the first time after more than 5 years is certainly one of the highlights. However, sending the very friend off last night and not knowing when our next meet will be aches me. I didn't say any goodbyes though.

Friends come and go but the truest friendships are forever. So, no goodbyes from me but "I'll see you soon" to all my dearest friends.

Perth Weekend - Murdoch University

Visiting a few friends in Perth over the past weekend certainly is fulfilling though too short and tiring. It's tough trying to keep everyone happy. For that reason, I kept my trip to myself and a handful of people to avoid disappointments.

Dropping by Murdoch Uni and its Student Village on the first day with my good ol' friend from college and uni days brought back memories from more than 9 years ago!

The courtyard and flats we lived in, the walkways and stairways we took, the halls and rooms we sat in. It was nostalgic. We even dropped by the usual place we got our lunches. However, the Asian Caravan was no longer there as it has been replaced by a proper hut/container that houses the kitchen! The aroma of Polo Chicken definitely brought us back in time. I took some shots of the food with my phone and sent to some usual suspects of the food! It was hilarous!

Here are some pics:

Flat 45 where some great memories!

Polo Chicken & Chilly Squid

More on the Perth trip later. Speaking of Murdoch Uni, a few of us managed to meet up in Melbourne for a good ol' friend's wedding! That will be the next post.......!