Tuesday, October 26, 2010

A Brief Moment of Update

Decided to take some time during work to update my blog. It is getting more and more dead as each day pass by. Not anticipating that I will be injecting a lot of life into it at the moment. Maybe I will do a quick update since the last time I update my blog to keep all updated. Anyway, not many people read my blog these days…

August to September

I have been keeping myself busy with work and photography. In fact, after the Landscape photography session by Yiren. I changed my style of shooting totally. For almost every Saturday and Sunday morning, I will be waking up really early then decide if I want to go out to do some landscape photography. That seems to take up most of my weekend.

September to October

I have been catching up with my photography but more into portraiture. Chye Lai and I have been attending to shoot organized by a fellow Clubsnapper Mike. A lot of portraiture shot during these periods because the weather is not really good for landscape these days. With the rain and haze and also ever changing landscape in Singapore, it is really getting hard to find a good place to do landscape photography.

One of my relative just passed away recently (8th Oct 2010) due to kidney failure… I was really saddened with her passing when I heard the full story of what happened… All I can say is… Value life, when it is time to go, don’t struggle, don’t fight… Just wait for the time to come and go peacefully…

My old time friend Adrian got married on 20th Oct 2010. I am one of the brothers who took care of all the logistics and preparation. The whole wedding went quite well and smooth. So I am glad that it was finally over. My duties and obligation is considered complete… Maybe it is time…

I took up archery recently (23rd Oct 2010). It was really fun but quite taxing for my fingers. Really looking forward to the next session.

Nothing really significant happening in my life these days… Just work, shopping spree and photography and meeting up people… I guess life is becoming more and more cyclic… Sigh…

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Post Course Reflection

I attended a Landscape Photography course conducted by Mr Chen Yiren from Phocus on Friday and Saturday. It is really a wonderful, enriching and enlightening session as I picked up a lot of things from him.

At first, I was a bit skeptic and also not knowing what to expect to get out of this course when I first sign up. But as I was quite amazed by some of the local landscape photos that he took, so I decided to give it a try as I find that my photography skills has reached a stagnant stage, a plateau and I was hoping to get a breakthrough somehow.

After I signed up for the course, I was quite eager and looking forward to it. On Friday (27/08), I went to the Camera Rental Center where the lesson was conducted. The whole session was very interesting as Yiren, the instructor shared his works and also how he took those shots. He explained the concept of composition which I was particular interested in because I realised that I need to work on that to improve my photos. I also asked him about some compositional issues as I hope to gain more in-depth understanding on what works and what don't.

On Saturday (28/08), we were blessed with good weather as we head out to Lower Seletar Reservoir to take some shots. Yiren was there to guide us and help us when needed. After taking the shots, we met up again at 5pm at Thomson Plaza to do some photos critiques. From the critique session, I was able to understand my flaw and shortcoming. It is really good as he provided first hand account on how to improve my shots.

After the critique session, we head over to Lower Pierce Reservoir for our sunset shoot. The sunset is really beautiful that day. After the whole session, we show Yiren the shots again and he did some brief critiques. As of again, he pointed out my weak areas and it become so obvious to me. I am really thankful that I attended this workshop. Really worth the money. I was hoping for a breakthrough and I found it.

Over the last two days, I did quite a bit of reflection on the course and I happened to come across something that caught my eye. A quote by Galileo Galilei, "You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself." I think this is so true... Through this course, I found my weakness in myself, and knowing the weakness is half the battle won.

Hope that I will continue to improve and take really good landscape photos to share with all.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Rin' - Sakura Sakura

Just happened to hear this song on Youtube and I find it really enchanting... Some how, the tune, tone and music really touches my heart and soul... I love the music from traditional musical instrument especially those from the orient. Hope that you will enjoy it.

Rin' - Sakura Sakura



Rin' - Sakura Sakura (Instrumental)

Monday, August 09, 2010

Corrinne May - Song for Singapore (Happy National Day to all)

It's has been a while since I last posted anything on my blog...

Anyway, today is the 45th National Day for Singapore and the theme song this year is written and sung by none other than my favourite singer, Corrinne May. The song is titled "Song for Singapore".

Really a beautiful and meaningful song. Her voice is still as charming as ever. Really looking forward to her next album.

Just to share with all. :)

Monday, August 02, 2010

A random thought...

Things have changed, I have changed... For better or for worse? I know not... Lots of thoughts, lots of unspoken words, lots of remorse and regrets... Who can understand?

Facebook is getting too public to post my thoughts. I am glad I got this peaceful little corner to myself...

Not many people visit my blog these days. I am really thankful for that...

At times, I feel the loneliness... At times, I feel the ugliness... At times, I feel the unhappiness and sadness... But there is no one there to comfort me when I needed it the most...

I am also human too... I need... LOVE...

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Another year older...

Can't believe that the last post I posted was more than 1 month back...

Anyway... It is that time of the year again.
32 years ago, on this day, I was given life by my parents.
I usually don't feel really excited about my birthday...
Maybe it is one of those "past the age" kind of thing...
I don't really look forward to my birthday left alone thinking of how to spend it...

This year, I spent my birthday in quite a special way...
First, I received a card from Ian and Aeris last night as I opened up my letter box. That card came as a little surprise. It did lift my mood up as I had a long and tiring day at assessment.

Then, I spent the rest of the night doing up the slides for the presentation on Night Photography which I planned to conduct before the photowalk.

I did not catch much sleep as I was feeling quite nervous about the presentation and photowalk.

I woke up around 6am and as I suddenly thought of adding additional materials to my slides. So I did managed to meet up with the rest of the Clubsnap team to do the setup for the CS Live @ SAM event.

I reached Singapore Art Museum at around 9am and started my duties there and then.

I felt really sleepy around the afternoon but I managed to hold on until the night.

Minutes before my presentation, I feel really nervous. I never presented in front of a large crowd before. I was hoping that the group will be small. Thankfully, the crowd size is only 20 to 30 people.

I presented my slides and shared my knowledge on night photography before leading the group down for a practical session. One of the participants mentioned that they needed a break, so I released them for a half hour break. I guess I must be really excited as I do not feel hungry at all.

As the night falls, I proceed with my night photography session. I shared with all my findings and know-how. From the fundamental, to advance technique and to creative technique. It is really fun and I find myself enjoying it. :)

In fact, I feel really happy as I had a meaningful and fruitful day and I spent the whole day doing the things I like and teaching others. :)

After the whole session was over, I was totally drained... But still, I promised to meet Adrian and the rest for supper at the Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe at Kovan.

Adrian bought me a Pandan cake for my birthday. This is the first cake that anyone ever bought for me for a very long time. I really forgot when was the last time I had a cake for my birthday celebration.

I was really happy as I can celebrate my 32 birthday with my old time buddies like Adrian and his gf, Guolin and his wife, Chye Hee, Ah Zheng and Ah Meng.

It was really a memorable 32 birthday for me. I am really happy. Appreciate all the well wishes. I wish good health too all. Cheerz.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Day Break at Merlion Park

I have been trying to catch up with my photography these days as I am trying to prepare myself for APSS. I am planning a landscape submission, but not sure if it will work. I love landscape and cityscape but Singapore is quite limited in terms of variation. It is always the same place but just slightly different angle... I hope to get some guidance in this... Anyway, here are some of my recent works.





Tuesday, June 08, 2010

[珍惜緣分]

In the mood for poem today as inspired by 春泥 by 庾澄庆...

[珍惜緣分]
与緣分擦肩而过,
只知回头已太晚,
滴滴痛苦的回忆,
让我学会了珍惜.

春泥 - 庾澄庆

A rather sad song, but I quite like it as it reflect how I feel at times...



春泥 - 庾澄庆

漫天的话语纷乱落在耳际
你我沉默不回应
牵你的手你却哭红了眼睛
路途漫长无止尽
多想提起勇气好好地呵护你
不让你受委屈苦也愿意
那些痛的记忆落在春的泥土里
滋养了大地开出下一个花季
风中你的泪滴滴滴落在回忆里
让我们取名叫做珍惜

迷雾散尽一切终于变清晰
爱与痛都成回忆
遗忘过去繁花灿烂在天际
等待已有了结局
我会提起勇气好好地呵护你
不让你受委屈苦也愿意
那些痛的记忆落在春的泥土里
滋养了大地开出下一个花季
风中你的泪滴滴滴落在回忆里
让我们取名叫做珍惜

漫天纷飞的话语落在春的泥土里
滋养了大地开出下一个花季
风中你的泪滴
滴滴落在回忆里
让我们取名叫做珍惜
那些痛的记忆落在春的泥土里

滋养了大地开出下一个花季
风中你的泪滴滴滴落在回忆里
让我们取名叫做珍惜
让我们懂得学会珍惜

Sunday, May 30, 2010

[千里马], [今朝醉]

So sorry for not updating my blog regularly these days. My current workload is getting extremely heavy and I feel less motivated these days. I blamed it on the hot weather for making me so sluggish, lazy and demotivated. I have not been sleeping well too because of the hot and humid weather. I have been losing sleep and hardly can focus well these days.

Anyway, I am in the mood for Chinese poems these days. In fact, I wrote 2 within a span of a week. I guess the poems reflect my thoughts and feeling about things...

These are the 2 poems that I created titled [千里马] and [今朝醉]. Not sure if you can understand the meanings behind these poems. Enjoy.

[千里马]
千里寻伯乐,
只求遇良主,
其主不识其,
只恨报无门.

[今朝醉]
对酒當歌,几分醉?
吾有心事, 谁能知?
何以解忧?问苍天.
人生几何?记今朝.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Things that I want in Life but did not fulfill it

It has been quite a while since my last update as I am very busy these days and I am kind of demotivated... Probably it is those mid-life crisis thing I guess. :P

Anyway, was looking back at the last 32 years of my life and thought of a question which I like to share with all. Do you have things that you want to achieve in life or things that you want to do but just cannot do it because you do not have the talent for it?

I, for once admit that I am never artistically inclined... I cannot draw or sketch unless it consists of straight lines which is much used in technical drawings. I cannot pick up an instrument and play because I am tone deaf but I still love instrument such as the flute. Even though I got good camera gears and equipment but my photos are just those of average standard... I am lack of the eyes, mind, heart and soul for creative subjects.

As age passed and schedule getting busy, I guess there are things that I want to do but do not think that I can do it. Example, horse riding. I am getting heavier and my weight control is an issue, so I guess horse riding is out... I want to try archery too but no time to commit and no one to go with me... Was hoping to pick up some new language, maybe French, Korean and Japanese but I am not sure if I can commit due to my work as I have been working on weekends for the last 2 months... It is really tiring. The fact that when I want to do something, I want to do it well hence I will put my heart fully to it and I need a lot of commitment. With my busy schedule, I am worried that I will give up my language course halfway...

Life is short and we only live this once and I really wish to live my life to the fullest to make it more meaningful... Hope that all those things that I could not achieve or do will not become a regret in my life. I really hope so...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Growing Busy or Growing Lazy

Sorry for the lack of updates these days as I am rather busy ever since I am back from Europe... Or maybe I am just growing lazy... But no worries, this blog is not officially dead yet. Just that I am going slow on my updates.

Anyway, there are not many readers on my blog these days with the exception of Priscilla and Lai Teng (thanks for the visit) and also "unfortunate" visitors who happen to stumble upon my blog, hope that I have not bored you to tears.

I am currently using Facebook to express my feeling and thoughts, that was another reason why I update lesser here. But this blog is still a place for me to express my inner most thoughts which others do not see...

Whatever it is, thanks for the patience. I hope I will have more time to go out and take more photos to share and to share more of my feelings and thoughts with all.

Monday, April 05, 2010

只希望在我身边的人...

这几天, 在我身边的人都很不开心.
不是为了工作而烦恼, 就是家里或朋友的事而苦恼或伤心.
有时, 发觉有些身边的朋友或同事忽然也变冷寞了, 有如陌生人那样...
不尽感到心酸和心寒...
我好无奈... :(
我只希望在我身边的人会天天开心, 这样我就会开心了.
.
.
.
.
.
.
在这夜深人静的时候, 我以笛子, 吹出悲鸣之歌.
心中的悲伤和沉闷都流露出来...
我流泪了...

Pilgrim's Journey and The Winding Path

Wow... I finally change the music on my blog after such a long time. Well, it is not new song but just posting back an old song that I upload almost like more than 10 months ago. Anyway, it is by Kavin Hoo and featuring Corrinne May.

The last song that was on my blog is called The Winding Path, the current one is named Pilgrim's Journey. Both songs are linked somehow. Below are the words by the composer Mr Kavin Hoo about the 2 songs.

"Pilgrim's Journey" - One of my favourite pieces of music. Corrinne, who sings the main vocals, actualy came up with the melody pretty much on the 1st take. In my mind, if I had to score music for a film whereby the protagonist has to cross tall snow peaked mountains amidst a heavy, blinding snow storm on a quest (a-la Lord of the Rings), this would be it. The music ends when the protagonist, out of sheer exhaustion, collapses onto the snow and loses consciousness.

"The Winding Path" - picks up where "Pilgrim's Journey" left off, & chronicles the rescue of the afore-mentioned adventurer and his feeling of joy & relief as he realises his arduous journey is finally coming to an end and he is returning home at last.

Sunday, April 04, 2010

Europe Trip (Paris)

Sorry for not updating my blog regularly these few days. I had a rather busy time since I am back from the Europe Trip. It is work, work, work... I am not really complaining much, not that I hate my job, just a lot of paperwork to catch up and especially since my portfolio increase (maybe I will talk about it next time).

Anyway, just to continue sharing some of my Europe trip photo. In fact, this is the last set which I took from Paris. I did not take any photos in London because of the weather. But overall, I quite like London and Europe.

Ok, enough of that. Just to share some of my shots. Enjoy.

























Sunday, March 21, 2010

Europe Trip (Berne)

Finally get my lazy ass to work on those photos that I take during my Europe trip. Just to share those that I took during my first leg in Berne. It was snowing at that time and the sky was gloomy, but it was overall quite enjoyable. Enjoy.





















Sunday, March 14, 2010

Of Journey and Path

Life is always full of paths for us to choose and take. But some time, the path that we chose might just lead us back to where we begin. Some paths lead us to nowhere and we have to figure out our way out... But whatever path that we took. It is the experiences and the journey that matter.

Even though a path lead us back to the beginning. We learn something from that journey and we got the knowledge never to take that path again. When we choose a path that lead us to a trap situation, do not despair. Calm down and figure your way out. Just remember, there is always a path for us to choose. Just learn to enjoy the journey and make the most out of it.

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Another Shot of the Moon on 3rd March 2010

Was lazing around when I read on Wendy's Facebook (Wendy is my cousin's daughter) that the moon is bright and big tonight. So I went down to my void deck to find the moon. And there is hang so beautifully and bright.

So I went back to take my gears and took a shot of it to share with all. Enjoy.



Taken with
Nikon D300
AFS 70-200mm f2.8
1.7X TC
MC-30 Remote
Markins Ballhead
Gitzo Carbon Fibre Tripod

Love is just like a Lute

It has been a while since I posted any love story or topic.
Maybe because I consider myself as an idiot and jerk in Love.
Know only how to talk, but can't even practise what I preach.
I am only a keyboard strategist, good with talking and preaching only...
Yah... I blame myself, I hate myself for that...
Sigh...

Anyway, despite all these setbacks and short-comings, good thoughts should always be shared and I hope that I can reflect on it and one day be able to practise what I preach...

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Love is just like a Lute.
When you over-tighten the string on the lute, it breaks easily.
When you do not tighten it enough, it won't play.
Love is the same.
When you hold on to love too tightly, you break it.
When you don't hold on tight enough, you lose it.

Monday, March 01, 2010

Now... 2 Months has Past

Time flies and now we are already past the 2nd month of the new year. I keep thinking to myself, how did I spend my last 2 month. All I know is that I have been working hard for the upcoming Europe trip and also prepare for my 1st Actual Assessment...

Anyway, had a bad day today. Not sure why but I had an outburst... Guess just not a good day for me... I hate it when I am angry... I don't like it when I am angry... When I am angry, I might hurt someone in the process, this is what I dislike about...

Guess I just need some peace and quiet tonight... :(