Are we taking good photographs?

Went to my photography class last night. We went to our first class photoshoot at changi ferry last sat. Last night is our photoshoot critics section. We have to select our 3 best shot and explain why we love about them.

So I choose these 3 photos:

My view: I like about "holes"on the leaves. I think they are special. So i took this photo directly.
Critics: However I didnt explore enough creativity. I could have use the holes to see what lies beyond the holes.

   
My view: Being "experimental", I tilted my photo. To me, its like the boat is moving upwards???
Critics: Some rules are meant to be broken but it doesnt really apply to horizon. But to others, it may appear that the horizon is lopsided and the boat looked as if it is struggling its way up?

Alright, I have changed back the photo to its "original" state :P


My view: This is the best shot that i have taken out of 200 shots! :P I saw this family were playing by the beach. They were walking their way back. I felt the kids have really enjoyed this trip. I quickly trigger my shutter to capture their best moment.
Critics: This photo is heartfelt and real.

My thoughts: What i love about this critics section is, we get to see other people works and we can learn from one another. Learnt how to take better composition in future. Learnt from own or other people mistakes or see what is the best angle to take the photo.. Learnt when to follow the rules or break them when necessary.

I finally see my OWN rainbow

Last year has been a toughest year for me. I have high expectations of myself but I wasn’t really prepared or rather I wasn’t ready to adapt the new challenge and the environment. The pressure and fear in me, slowly piling up and it drew me into a vicious cycle.

I haven’t been myself but I don’t really know how to help myself. I was just like a designer, without a soul. Losing all my basic design instinct, confidence and not be able to express my own thoughts. I couldn’t even complete a simple project that was assigned to me.

Felt something is missing in me. I have been going through my own “self-reflection” therapy for these few months. Kept asking myself: “What is missing in my life?” I took up photography. It has changed my life and I found my answer.

It’s my passion in life, that I’m lacking! I have been closing my heart for all these years. Not be able to feel my surroundings and be imaginative. Imagination is endless. Anything around us can be used a creative object or an idea. We just need to be experimental and use our creative mind to create. Do you know even a tissue paper has its own value???

I have rediscovered myself. Looking for ideas at different perspectives and angles. Learning new things can be at any place, anywhere, as long as I never give up on learning. I have regained back my confidence level and I have not given up hope on being a creative designer.

My lecturer once said, “Life is too short. We should not have any regrets in our life.” I fully understand with what she meant. This year 2007 will be a new chapter in my life. I made plans and I’m excited about it. You will see a better Qiqi.

Photo taken at Changi Ferry.

Fateful death of the fly

I was having my delicious fish porridge at my downstair's coffeeshop. The fan wind is fairly strong today. Not sure whether is the mosquito's fateful day or my "lucky" day. The wind was so strong that it flew pass my hair and got stuck on the spoon. I got a shock out of it, 'Cause i was opening my mouth!

I decided to take this photo to memorial it :P

Photo taken at coffeeshop.

I want to slim down!

"I put on weight again. I want to loose weight!"
Ladies, this sounds familiar rite?

9 out of 10 women think they are fat. In fact, most of the women nowadays are underweight. They did all kinds of slimming exercise, eat slimming pills, go on diet, even go to slimming centres. A few people have gone to the extreme, just to lose weight but is it worth it?

Recently france has banned models, whose BMI is less than 18, to be up on the stage. 'Cause they are too slim.

Im building a slimming centre here. I have transformed my fat body into a slim one. Thats with the help of adobe photoshop.



What i want to say is, it doesnt matter whether you are fat or slim, the most important thing is you have to stay healthy. It's not worth to risk your health just because you want to have a perfect figure!?

My piece of advice are:
My dear friends who are slim to perfect figure, stop thinking you are fat cos you are not! You just need to tone your body.

My fat or plump friends like me, enjoy the fatness in yourself. We are not fat.. the slim girls are just too thin to be admired :) Not all people can be as bubbly and cute like us :) FYI, most guys love plump women like us kekeke

So please don't be obsessed with your own figure anymore...

Photo taken at my house.

The Intruder

An intruder came into our room this morning. He was 1.85 tall, quite macho and handsome. He was wearing a pair of saavy sunglasses and a cool helmet. All women, who walk passed our room, their feet were swept off by him. He looked almost like Arnold Schwarzenegger. My male colleague commented that we finally has another guy in our room.

Suddenly a guy from another department was so jealous of him. Come in and take away his helmet and gloves, remove his sunglasses, shirt and jacket. We tried to stop him but without avail. He even dislocate his arms! We wanted to call for the security. But my manager told us not to stop him. To our surprise, he hugged him and they left together... And best part is, we were left with the remaining of him.. We got a few times of shock from this intruder!!!

And this is the intruder's "after-look"!

My First Cooking Lesson

Our dear friend claimed that her fried rice is nice. So we went to one of my colleague's house to test her cooking skills. I have recorded the process haha. Below is the making of the delicious, yummy fried rice!

Just in case you are wondering what are the ingredients. There are overnite rice (its a must!), diced garlic, minced meat, ham, beaten eggs, carrots, long beans, cooking oil, light soya sauce.

Obsessions

Im a kind of person who doesnt like to read horoscope. 'Cause I feel that they are not accurate. Recently my friend is abit "obsessed" with her Daily Horoscope. She says this website is more accurate. So i decided to check it out.

Read: December 31, 2006, provided by Astrology.com
Find another person to share one of your latest obsessions with!

Overview:A single thought can change your world, and it could come from just about anywhere. Explore books, movies, music and people that would normally not cross your path. Be open to influence from all areas.

I find that this Daily Horoscope is abit unusual than the normal horoscope. Normally, they will tells you you might be meeting your mr right or u will have a bad hair day or you will meet new friends... Its more like "directly" tells you what will happen on that day itself..

Unlike this horoscope, it actually gives you an idea. Maybe you can try this, it could lead you to somewhere that you never been before. It acts as a guiding light... It will makes you think. Maybe it will work or maybe it wont but at least you tried.

Guess what are my latest obessions?
Yup Yup its blogging and photography... Im so obsessed in blogging that i must write something in my blog daily. Blogging once a day, keeps my troubles away. It acts as a "Chu Qi Tong". A place that i can let out my gas... i can write anything on the blog. I can be as expressive as I want. I used to write blog because for the sake of writting. But now i write because i feel something for this world. I use my heart to feel my surroundings. And that's have to tie back to my 2nd obession which is photography.

Photography is a wonderful hobby. I used to dislike photography. 'Cause i think that they are boring. I attended a few photography classes. The classes were boring. Taught you how to change the aperature, shutter speed. They are too technical for me. And I still bought a point and shoot camera for a year that i hardly use more than 30 times. The camera bag was so clean and scratchless. I don't even know what camera model i was using.

Until recently, I attended the photography class for beginner. His way of teaching, triggered my interest. Its more artistic towards technical stuffs. Photography has slowly plant its seed into my soul. It was activating my heart and mind. It makes me think more and feel more towards my surroundings. Yes, to be more observant person. Just like a block wood is transforming to a sulpture.

The hardest photography challenge is to tell story in a photo... Well, I still have a long, long way to go 'cause I haven't found a good story to tell...

"Photography is painting with light and feelings."

I'm just not ready...

"Can i go after you?"

"No, you cant. I rather we stay as friends. I cherish the friendship that we have."

"We still can be friends even we are dating. Im not rushing you into marriage. Just hold hands or when you are tired, you can rest your head on my shoulder."

"I know love is a wonderful thing. Having to be loved by someone is great. But for now, i don't feel like holding anyone's hands. To me, love is a burden and I'm still enjoying my singlehood life."

"You have enjoyed your singlehood life quite some time already rite? I'm not a flirt. I can wait but dont keep me waiting."

"It's not you. It's me. So dont wait for me. There are alot of roses out there.. you just have to look around."

"Yes, there are many roses around, but not to my own liking."

"Ok but i still comfortable to be your friend. Just like i said just now, love is a burden. Please do not wait for me. There are really alot of nice roses around..."

"....."

It might be a harsh to reject someone's love. I might have "retribution". After dating for 6 years, I'm back again in my singlehood life. It has made me to become a stronger person. I have learnt to be more independent. I have learnt to make my own decisions. I have learnt to know myself better and know what i want in life. I'm still exploring the life the way it is.

Having a relationship is like stopping me to move forward. I have to love him. I have to be more considerate. I have to be more sensitive towards him. I can't have my own self-centered way of thinking anymore. It's a love commitment. In a way, I can't do the way, I want it anymore.

Life is not all about dating, getting married, has kids and slogged the rest of our life. I'm not insisting that getting into relationship is not good. Who knows, i might be getting married the next moment when the time is riped. I'm saying that there are many openings and options. You just have to choose the best option that suits for yourself. 'Cause you cant always live up to people expectations.

Okay, I just not ready for it.

When I turn myself into Cinderella

Someone called me two days ago.
"Hello, You have won two complimentary photoshoot with us. It consists of two makeups, styling and photoshoots worth $588."

I was puzzled. "Where did you get my hp no?"

"Ohh you have won our lucky draw in one of the shopping malls. We have choosen you. You are one of the selected winners."

I was even puzzled cos i never sign up anything. There's no way i can win a lucky draw.

"Did you get the no wrongly? What lucky draw is that?"

"This lucky draw is actually organised by a few shopping malls. They have sponsered the complimentary photoshoot. This is to reward the shoppers. I think you might have forgotten."

I knew nothing in this world is free but since its complimentary. I just play along with it.

"Ok, pls let me know the details."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

So i went down to the shop today. Its actually an image consultant firm. The shop on the outlook is quite classy. There were a few groups of people chit chatting... A nice lady came over and introduce herself as my image consultant for the day. She made an open conversation with me. I think is to pass time so that i dont feel bored while waiting for the others to do their makeup and hairstyling.

Then she brought me to the costume area to select the clothes. They had cowboy suit, sexy leather clothings, night gowns, theme clothes such as cheong sum, japanese, korean. I keep shaking my head cos i think the clothes are abit too much for me. Luckily, i was asked to bring my two sets of clothes to change.

After im done, i was brought to one of the studios and they taught me how to pose myself at the best angle. At first, i was abit stiff cos i wasn't really prepared. Then somehow the photoshoot sessions get more and more fun.. and i was so into it hahaha...

When everything is finished, i was brought back to the hall. The image consultant start to perform the magic of photoshop. She has transformed two of my photos into beauties. Brainwashing me with their "lifetime warranty" photoshoot package. Showcasing their best portfolios and their best benefits of joining their members. Blah.. Blah.. Blah...

"So what's the price then?"
"Okay i get my sales guy to come over."
So a guy come over with a happy smile. (Got the villain look :P)
"Im going to sell u a promotional package. Just $124 per month, for 18 mths and u get our lifetime membership. You can refer your friends and you get some commission out of it. You can get back your money within 7 months."

Sounds too good to be true right? Actually i knew its a gimmick from the start. So i replied,"To be honest, I just want my complimentary shoot since its from a lucky draw and i have no intention of getting the album."

That guy and the image consultant face turned into "other color".

The guy says,"Aiyah, where got so lucky to win lucky draw everytime one. It must be one of your friends recommended you to us." Im still wondering who gives me such "a good lobang".

Anyway, I continued to play on, "Yah loh, Yes I also know. That's my intention of coming down to find out more and have fun!"

Ah-ha, Gocha... Yah that's the cunning marketing gimmick! They have no choice but to give me the 2 complimentary photos in the end. And u know what? The beauties had changed back to their original state when she burned the photos into the CD. Just like a Cinderella...

3.. 2.. 1.. Happy New Year!!!

It's an unusual way of welcoming year 2007. For the past years, either i comfortably sitting on my sofa couch, watching the countdown programme or squeezed myself in the huge crowd at the "countdown" places. This year i was being invited to attend BBQ, organised by Tampines CC. There was a wide spread of food. Celebrating with a group of friendly and heartwarming elders, was my first time. The feeling is different compared to mingle with my group of friends.

We wanted to stay for the countdown. We eat. We chat. We joked. But somehow the time passed quite slowly... As I walked out of the chalet, the breeze touches my face and gives me a cooling sensation. I saw this tree. It gave me a special feeling. The leaves were swaying as though they were welcoming me. I didn't really want to take out my camera as my friend is the "photographer of the nite". But in the end, i decided to take it and I glad that i did :)

3... 2... 1... Happy New Year!!! We were playing with the fire sticks and cheering for the new year. Everyone was excited with the countdown. My friend was busy taking photos, capturing the happy mood of everyone. He showed us an interesting photo that has the zooming effect at the sides so that the focus was on the uncle, holding the champagne bottle.

All of us think it was nice. So i commented, "Later the elders will say: Why so blur one!" He said that I was insulting his skills. Just right after 30 secs, an auntie walked by and commented. "Why the photo so blur one, huh?" hahahaha me and my another friend were laughing away. When he showed the "normal" kind of photo to her, that auntie says, "Yah these photos are better.. more sharp." kekekke

So some people are just not appreciative of artistic photos and we just need to take their comments as a pinch of salt.

Shopping Spree

Was in one of my gloomy mood again... Went to my friend's house for house warming... Maybe it had been a long time since we meet up... i feel that i wasnt myself today... maybe i was trying to hide my lousy mood..

I left my friend's house around evening time and called a few friends if they are interested to meet up.. Unfortunately, i dont have much luck. I missed my bus 133. Without much thinking, i simply boarded bus 13, which leads me to Junction 8.

Just thinking of window shopping for awhile then went back. I was still in a lousy mood.. Some people choose to hide themselves away, indulge in food, or scream at someone when they are feeling low. For me, i choose to buy lots of clothes... and keep rather quiet. But then god knows, the sales girls were exceptionally helpful and talkative today... I was influenced by their warm and sincere smiles.

That's what i like about shopping when they are having sales... In the end, i got myself a striped dress, a flora top and a B/W flower print skirts from 3 different shops. Going to wear them on CNY (If i can wait) keke :)

I bought a new jeans!

Let you see my new jeans... Nice rite? I like the back pockets keke

I bought a pair of new jeans at Giordano. It is having 50% xmas discounts! Few months back, if you have noticed, Giordano is trying to change its marketing strategy. To push its branding from low cost products to a higher level, to be in par with middle range brand names such as Espirt, Levis... They even renovated their shops and changed their clothes to better designs and quality and so that they can sell their stuffs at a higher cost.

I did a small survey with my friends... i asked them, Giordano has changed so much... if ask you to buy a S$70 jeans from them, would you buy? Their immediate replies are... "You crazy ah... buy a Giordano jeans at $70? No way man! I rather pay slightly more to get Levis Jeans..."

Yah, that’s the point! All along, they have been seen or they have brand their products as low cost with lots of discount. And now, they want to portray the image that they belong to the middle-level range. It’s hard for the shoppers, like us, to accept it... Shoppers like me, are still waiting for their discounts.

I saw this pair of jeans 1 month back. I knew its new marketing strategy, is not going to work for now yet. So I waited. True enough, I got my Giordano jeans at half price. It’s not that I like to wait. It’s because I know that they will drop the price, once people do not think that this pair of jeans worth $70. No doubt, i would say the quality has been improved. People are just still not willing to fork out that kind of money. Why pay more, when you can get less?

Its not so much importance on changing its packaging... Its the mindset of the shoppers, they have to change first...

Priceless Gift

Was actually chatting with my friend in her blog. Below is our funny conversation:

Qi: The thought behind the gift is priceless. Sadly, many people failed to see it in this way... Hey next year, we try to give each other something "free" or maximum $1 since two of us are looking at the thoughts behind the gift... :) if not, so boring rite kekkee

Tes: haha....like tat also can...hmm...$1 a bit difficult..the paper hor..already $1+ le....:P but i know what you mean.....:P

Qi: yah, u can use $1 to wrap your priceless gift loh!!!! hahhaha

Tes: wrap? aiya..y waste money? uSE NEWSPAPER lah.......Garung Guni!!! kekekee anyway, wrappers are meant to be TORE!!!! please do not be gentle..kekekeke

Qi: hahha old newspaper also needs money to buy okay! 85 cents now! hahha i know le use strings to wrap the presents kekeke innovative rite???

Tes: aiya....i make u a newspaper mache next year lah...haha... using recycled news....so u want a bowl? or? bowl lah...haha i dunno how to make other things!! LoL

Qi: i know what i want to do for you le kekkeke :P must pen it down before i forget hahha... wah a bowl ah but must able to use one leh

Tes: say..say.....then next year..i can check..correct or not..hahaa.......wah..multipy become msn ah? kekeke bowl...of coz can use lah.....use to see, use to touch..use to feel...what else u want? hahaha.....

Qi: hahha u blame the stupid msn loh.. its down at this moment! Your bowl only can see, touch and feel but cannot use leh hahhahaha... but its okay... cos its priceless! cant get it any where else :)

Tes: fine fine..keke entertain u... hahaha... so my priceless bowl...VS your?????

Qi: your priceless bowl vs my 3D card hahaha i think making card is still my forte :)

Yeah dont need to think, what to give each other next year le... Just need to excecute it. If you think giving a $1 gift is easy, then you are totally wrong! Compare to a $10 gift, it is much more harder because u have to source for your own "free" resources...

At the end of the day, the theme is "looking at the thoughts behind the gift", so u will need to give a xmas gift that has to be some beautiful standard and both of us are able to feel the "thoughts"... That's a challenge!

PS: Know what the Trick is??? The TRICK is... we just have to do it with our hearts :)

Love you, Dear

"Love you, Dear"
"Huh, who are you looking for?"
A moment of silence...
"Im looking for my wife."
"ohh okay"

He was dumbfolded when he heard my voice on the line. Never did he expect someone is sharing the same office no. as his wife. It sounds funny to me but its an embarrassment for him. But looking back, it's romantic and a sweet way to say "I love you everyday."

Its every girl's dream to be loved by her love ones everyday. But not every girl has the luxury of hearing this everyday. There are 100 and 1 ways of making a girl, falls for you. Even the most difficult, cool girl will turn soft when you melts her heart.

But what comes after "the happy-ending" ever after? Could the couples still remains the way it used to be? After blogged down with tons of workload, stress and financial commitments, the love they used to have, seems to fade off and die... The laughters in the house are replaced with quarreling, mistrust and accusations.. This is definately not what i want to see in any marriages. Love should fonders and builds stronger as the time goes by...

Everytime when you feels like screaming at your love ones. Ask yourself again, if your love one happens to leave you one day, will you bear to let him/her go?

Xmas Celebrations

How are you feeling on the Boxing Day? Did you go around boxing people around you?? i hope not.. haha Actually dont really know the true meanings of Boxing Day because im not a christian. Can anyone try to enlighten me?

Feeling freezing cold today as the rain never seems to stop. Even my water heater doesnt seem to work well.. Its a wet, wet christmas (How i wished its a white christmas!) , rains non-stop almost everday and flooding almost everywhere....

Luckily it didnt dampen my spirits of celebrating xmas, in fact its the most xmas celebrations i have attended, over so many years! Wow... 8 Parties within 2 weeks! Parties for closest friends, 2 ex-coll parties, 2 company parties (suppose to be 3 but i din go), 2 toastmasters clubs and 1 group of newly met KTV kakis! cant believe rite? me too... seems like my circle of friends have expanded hahaha

Yesterday was celebrating with my close friends, we are the group of crazy people who will try think of unusual ways of celebrating our xmas.. This year, we thought of making our very own "MS Excel version of Xmas Snake and Ladder" and have add-ons with our own bonus and forfeits. Whoever who touches the foreits, has to wear xmas hat and do what Santa (forfeit) says. The winner gets to choose the present that she/he likes the most.

My friend, shes a kicker(always kick us back to zero!). We finally realised that she is borned in the year of snake and almost banned her from playing the game keke. (hey, i think we shall play betting horses next year ba). The waiters were so happy to serve us because we keep greeting them "Merry Christmas!"(One of the forfeits).

Thats not all! we have a gift exchange session and it took us 2 hours finished it! Just the 4 of us, we have 12 presents on the table! hahaha... We took many candid shots And make a wild guess the no of shots we took? 300 shots! super kua zhang rite? Yes i know... thats y, i say we are crazy people... Doing crazy things and having crazy ideas that drives the people nuts... This is what i called a TRUE Christmas Celebration!!!

Below is the pict of our Home-made Xmas Snake and Ladder.

Xmas Presentzzz

Yesterday was my happy and sad xmas... The happy event is I gave out my most favourite gift to my best pal and i recieved the best xmas present among all the gifts this year.

Curious to know what i give? I gave a precious moment paper clips / map pins container.. my friends were looking up, down left and right, and din see any uniqueness. Its not just a normal container... it tells a story... it about two lovely kids playing at the beach happily and you can look at them at different angle.. it shows different perspectives... It just like when we look at an event, an object or even people, we only look at them at a particular angle and thinks that its the correct way it should be. It is unhealthy... try to open up your mind and look at things differently, in different perspectives and u will feel that the world is smiling at you :)

The best present of the xmas is a digital scrapbook(quoted by the creator). Its consist a few nice shots of photos that we took at colmar tropicale. I love the photos she selected and the way she wrote.. best pals that have crazy hobby and silly memories. Im even touched that she took hours to figure how to use photoshop when she knows nuts about it.

That reminds me of the xmas eve when i was upset that she refused to online maple to celebrate xmas countdown with me. Im so insensitive to detect that her sadness and and be understanding to her feeling... She wrote in her blog, GooD Friends Are to be TaKeN for GranteD? True in a certain way. I guess i have to learn how to be more understanding. Sorry pal.

Xmas Exchange

During christmas time, the most exciting part is to recieve a gift from your love ones, friends and colleagues. The fun part is you will never know what kind of "strange" gift you will recieve!

Today is my co xmas party at rendenvous hotel. My dear "xiao mei" left her present at her house. We went to PS to buy a new gift. Precious Thoughts is selling a set of nice cultery set at a very reasonable price. Me and my coll were aiming at the gift..

The gift exchange is done in such a way that everyone will be passing the present around until when the music stops, the present that u hold it belongs to u! So during the gift exchange, we were happily passing the presents and searchin for my xiao mei's present. But we couldnt get it becos that person is holding on it!!

All of us got our own presents and we are suppose to open our present on the spot. Most of us got body shop stuffs cos this year packaging is really nice and the prices fall within the budget. I got a card holder, my "er jie" got towel and my "da jie" got a beautiful desktop clock calendar.

Guess what my xiao mei got? She got a body shop bathing pack and comes with a "missing" of bath foam. Do you know why i say it's missing becos that pack should comes with 3 bottles of different fragrance bath foam and that person dont even bother to put something else to fill up the "gap"! The funny part is, we found out that the "missing" bath foam is with another coll! And that person still dare to ask my xiao mei if she like the present or not hahaha.... my xiao mei almost "fainted" loh keke

The most lousy gift in my co, i would say is, someone actually give a $10 NTUC voucher and throw in a prudential calendar inside the present.. but a free calendar??? hmmm...

Yar i know, there are different kinds of people around... Its not about the value of the gift but rather, i feel that every presents that you give it out, should be something that comes from your heart and not giving it because to meet the "target" of the gift exchange value or worse, it has or going to become an white elephant!!!

Xmas Shopping with your heart

"Behind all the decorations and gifts, is the true meaning of Christmas...".

To me, Christmas is a special and my most favourite day of the year... Thats a day where you can share your love, your thoughts towards your love ones and friends... I dont mean that normal days you cant. Just that we can express our feelings more openly. Yes, the thought behind the gift is priceless... Sadly most of the people dont see it that way...

Counting the days of Christmas, when i bought a few xmas presents long long ago before Dec. Thinking that the 5 gifts should be enough.. but seems like almost every wk, i need to scout for new presents becos more and more groups asking me to join their parties...

Some people dread to buy presents, maybe they do not know what to buy/or they are simply too lazy. Christmas shopping can be most happenings and interesting... Its all depends on how u look at it and you got to shop with your heart. Here are 5 simple steps keke..

Firstly, u have to think through, which are the group of people, u are going to give. Are they close ones or distant friends/family? Are they funky or serious type? Are they cheapo / high class type?

Secondly, u have to decide the "War Zone" to shop. Orchard, City Hall or Bugis (3 Highly Xmas Gifts Warzone)

Thirdly, when u reached the warzone, rem to scan through every single the gift items on the shelves. Thats the fun part where u will be amazed by some "special" (i called it "bo liao") gifts such sweets machine where u can turn a knob to make the sweet drop down, a tooth brush holder that has hour glass so that you can brush your teeth in 3 mins, or a big boobs cup for the guys!

Fourthly, u need to list out all the "potential" presents to buy. Once u decided, you will have to grab your gifts and remember to rush to make payment because u need to get to the next "station" within the shortest time. Thats the Gift counter.

Finally, if you are lucky, u can get all your gifts wrap up nicely. But then, the queue will be super long and you are too free to wait lah!!!

The Star of Christmas

Went to Orchard for 2 "missons" in mind: Searchin for my lost camera battery and photoshoot "the star of christmas" at Metro Paragon.

Lost my extra battery yesterday, I had no choice but to go back to the places which i think most likely have dropped it. Looking closely at every square tiles on the orchard road pavement, hoping to see miracle. Apparently, i couldnt find it but it has inspired me to take a photo of the fast-paced shoppers along the orchard road and i have captured this interesting photo. Took a couple of shots but i feel that this image depicts what i wanted.

Metro Paragon will deco the chrismas tree with a different theme every year. Spend nearly 1.5 hours to photoshoot "the star of christmas". I love this year theme. The tree is decorated with a special design wired star and at the centre of each star, there is a light bulb. From far, it may seem to be a simple christmas tree. Once you take a closer look, u will feel that its specialness.

I have explored with the brightness and contrast. Taking them with different angles and tones. I guessed a lot of digital cameras had captured my back in their SD/CF cards... hahaha... Of cos once a while, i moved myself away, just in case people start to get annoyed.

Fortunately, I finished taking the last shot of the tree's reflection and it has died on me. Displaying - "Warning: Battery is exhausted." It is telling me,"Hey, i need to rest already!" keke..

Below are the few shots that i took :)
Starlight


Starway to heaven


Reaching for the stars


Reflection

Mix and Match??

Having my first xmas gathering with my secondary friends.. Its been a long time since we met.. we gather every 12 months.. yes that "frequent"... but we are still very close... and we update on each other our little happenings in our life...

One of my curious friend, Cupid Baby, share with us her experience at sdu matching session recently. There were 10 matching couples attended this "mix and match" session.

Game RULES:First, she was given a piece of paper, indicating M1-M10. Then she got to answer 3 standard questions or other questions if there are more time and finally the guys were supposed to shift the seats in every 3 minutes, while the gals just remained in their seats. At the end of the session, the person-in-charge will take back the papers and match them accordingly for the next outing(if there is).

Just in case u are wondering what are the 3 questions:
1) How old are you? (means "Are you too old or too young for me?")
2) What is your occupation? (means "How much do you earn?")
3) What are your hobbies? (means "Do we have common interest?")
ps: this is how i interpret

As this was her first time, Cupid Baby asked her first guy,"So how do u find this mix and match session? The paranoid guy quickly replied,"Shhh, dont say so loud. You want other people to know u are in this session?". Alright, and came the 3 standard qestions...

Ding! Ding! Ding! There came a chatty guy wearing a purple top with a red pants. He was a cartoonist and loves animations. He was talking non-stop about animation movies and such. Cupid Baby was wondering if he ever took any breath in every sentence he said... Then he finally realised that Cupid Baby was very quiet,"So do u like cartoon animations?" "Erm, I dont watch cartoons" And a moment of slience...

Then, came a serious guy. He was busy scribbing some words in a paper, as if he were taking some important test. Cupid baby was puzzled and realised that he was trying to make some notes on which girl he has spoke to. The first question, he asked was which year and time was she born and take out his mini almanac to check if they are compatible or not... Diaozzz... Okay, quite compatible, and the conversation continues...

This is not all... a well-behaved, skinny spectacled guy sat down. He was holding a A4 size paper, passed to her and said,"Please read this before i answer any questions." After reading it. Cupid Baby cant helped but to ask him since he attended so many matching sessions why is he still here". He said cooly,"Please turn over the card." Behind was his list of "FAQ" answers...

Times up! Times up! After going through these 10 mixing and matching in an hr. Cupid baby had to tick the paper on which guy is she interested in. But she was fasinated by these "special" guys and she forgot to take down the no that she thought that is more normal, in the end she ticked all of them!!! hahhahahha LOL

I nearly fell off my chair after i hearing these hilarious matching... It was funny and ridiculous.. what were these people thinking anyway??? I think they have to be a little bit more "normal" before gals will look at them a second look.

Creativity

What is creativity? "Creativity is a mental process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts, or new associations between existing ideas or concepts." In short, thinking ideas at different and unique perspectives.

So does most Singaporean has creativity? No... most of us are taught in the sterotyping way in the younger days... Thanks to the "Creative" MOE.. They start to panic now.. ohh, so we finally need more creative talents in our society now, to be in the competitive rat race. oh com'on, creativity doesnt appear just out of the blue.. it takes days, months and years to cultivate our creativity as well our own mindset and personality.. not just at the snap of our fingers! (how i wished we could do that..)

Just heard this incident last nite, a small young boy with full of creativity, was asked to color a cute and bubbly giraffe. Being pure at heart, he painted the giraffe, purple in color. His sterotyping art teacher walked over and insisted that he needed to color the giraffe, brown. Being stubborn and feeling injustice, he went home and complained to his mum abt this incident. In the end, he got nothing but a beat up from his mum because he refused to accept to what his mum / teacher comments.

Why this innocent little boy has to follow the "proper guidelines" and color the way it should be. This little boy is just being expressive and he's just trying to express his own creativity, instinct and feelings. He may think differently from the rest but that doesnt mean that hes wrong. Why our education is so ridge that we must follow a set of rules that they have set for us?

Are we still able to think out of the box? When our little mind is tie with an invisible ruler, to measure on us how much can we imagine, right from the start?

Movies Craze

Went to watch 2 movies within a day last week. I have almost half a year never watch movies le. These are the two shows which i want to watch for a very long time especially the "Death Note". Highly recommended show, orginate from the Manga. Im "invading" into the its manga now. Much more details and explainations hahaha.


The title may sound scary. But its not a horrer movie at all. Its about a brilliant, but bored, high school student who resents the crime and corruption in the world. His life undergoes a drastic change when he discovers a mysterious notebook, known as the "Death Note", lying on the ground. The Death Note's instructions claim that, if a human's name is written within it, that person shall die. Light is initially skeptical of the Death Note's genuinity, believing it is just a prank. However, after experimenting with it and killing two criminals, Light is forced to admit the Death Note is real. After meeting with the true owner of the Death Note, a shinigami(Death God) named Ryuk, Light seeks to become the "God of new world" by passing his judgment on criminals.


Soon, the number of inexplicable deaths of reported criminals catches the attention of the International Police Organization and a mysterious detective known only as "L". L quickly learns that the serial killer, dubbed by the public as "Kira", is located in Japan. L also concludes that Kira can kill a person just by knowing their face and name. Light realizes that L will be his greatest nemesis, and a race to prove mental superiority between the two begins.
Ratings:




The Next Movie i watch is not bad too. Its about two magicians whose intense rivalry leads them on a life-long battle for supremacy full of obsession, deceit and jealousy with dangerous and deadly consequences. From the time that they first met as young magicians on the rise. However, their friendly competition evolves into a bitter rivalry making them fierce enemies-for-life and consequently jeopardizing the lives of everyone around them. This is a watchable movie, with full of twists and turns.
Ratings:


Upcoming movies that i want to watch will be:

Dark Cloud

Dear Friends, im back again! I didnt realise that i have been MIA for more than 5 months! I have been trying to cope with my studies.. theres a puff of dark cloud over my head.. Stressing out myself, Lost my life directions. In short, I have lost my way.

Theres a saying: Everything is ok in the End; If it's not, it's not the end...

How i interpret it was, we have to keep trying and be persistent.. because everything will be okay at the end.. But sometimes we are too tired and dishearted to continue it. We have to motivate ourselves again and again, to continue this rocky journey... Life is never easy, we got to keep trying and trying... Travel from one obstacle to another one..

Now its time for me to pick up myself again and get on with my life. Friends, wish me luck :)

Capoeira Fitness

As usual, my dear "fly kite" friend flies me kite again... but I still continued my way to my exercise classes, not realizing that the FT kickboxing has cancelled today..

When i saw the schedule at the centre, it’s the Capoeira Fitness lesson. My angel and devil came out to have their conversation:

Devil: What is that Capoeira? Aiyah, no kickboxing today ah.. hmmm why don’t we go home?

Angel: Cannot... You must exercise! You come all the way from Jurong and you want to go back?

Devil: Very tiring leh. Why not come back another day? Can go back and rest early today.

Angel: You think you will REALLY go home and REST EARLY meh? Why not you exercise for 20 mins at the track mill, go to the class. See what’s the class all about. If u enjoy, then continue to stay on. If not, just leave the class. Anyway, by the time, u would have already worked out 30 mins or so...

Devil: Okay lor...

So what is Capoeira? It is a martial arts form that originated in Brazil over 500 years ago. Today it is also thought of as an exercise or a game. Usually two people will enter in a circle and begin to do sweeps, kicks, and other martial art moves.

Capoeira, the latest fitness trend, is new to many of us. It's a dance, it's a fight, it's a form of self-defence.

I find this fitness is fun. I’m glad that my angel lead me to the correct way. If not, I wouldn’t have discover such an interesting exercise today :)

Art Fest is here!

Me and my friend are back with enthusiasm in the art fest activities for this art fest season.

Here's some of my reviews on some of "arts on the move" events that i have seen so far...

The Invisible Men (UK)
They don’t speak but they will keep you entertained with their inimitably funny, fast-moving gags and visual trickery. Armed with water, popcorn and china plates, The Invisible Men will draw you into their marvellous world of mayhem and madness...

My thoughts: Two really funny guys that have lots of props and full of madness actions!!! Its a very interactive kind of performance.. i really enjoyed this performance although its only half an hr show. You cant help but to laugh, laugh and laugh :)
My likings:


Jon Hicks (UK)
Bigger
International Man of Artistry, Jon Hicks, delights and surprises with his outsized artworks executed with rapid-fire dexterity and comic flair. Witness art spring to life as this multi-talented artiste paints, draws, sculpts and creates origami to lively music.



My thoughts: A cool, artistic guy. He drew all 3 drawings within half an hour! His drawings captures my attention and yet cant figure out whats hes drawing until the last part of his artworks. He's a multi-talented guy indeed!
My likings:

Ecrans Tambours (Screen Drums)
Catch this unusual production that’s specially conceptualised and performed in water with ‘screen’ drums. It stars a group of musicians and actors together with members of a local community group.

Witness the unfolding of an original, contemporary tale that artfully combines rhythmic echoes, fluid movements and evolving reflections. Young and old will enjoy the universal language of percussion music.

My thoughts: I dont really enjoy this performance as their rhythmic sounds are quite monotonous.. nearly fall asleep until they jump into the water to get some of my attention :p
My likings:

These photos are extracted from my friend's blog and Art Fest website.

Look out for more reviews on my next week arts on the move :)
or you may want to go to Art Fest website.

Brain Dead

Wow so fast in stepping into month of June 06 le. My brain seems to went dormant.. if my friend hasnt been asking me to see her blog, i would have clearly forgotten about my own blog!

Doesnt have any inspirations to write recenly :p Maybe my "3min Degree" writing has timed up. Hopefully after going this month arts festival, will inspire me to write some creative articles :)

Will update my blog when my brain cell feels like working hahaha...

Monday Blues

The first request form of the day was given to me immediately when i stepped my left foot into my co. Was busy burning different kinds of cds contents, printing labels, designing edms, posters, printing slides, banners, replying tons of emails, doing some pc research etc, so busy busy busy... The worse part is i forgot to bring my mp3 player to soothen the anxiety in my work. Help, im out of oxygen!

I felt like im just like an octopus. If i have another 4 pair of hands, probably my colleagues will be even happier to give me more jobs. Im not saying my colleagues are not good, they are just doing their jobs too. Imagine if i cannot deliver, they will have to answer to their bosses. Yes everyone is doing their jobs..

Im just a battery that is running low. NO more energy to think whether if the jobs are fleasible or how fast can i deliver. I just say "ok, alright, sure". I felt so drained out by my work. You might think i could "taichi" back rite? (Nowadays its a "must learned" skill) Sorry, doesnt apply to me for now.. cos im the only one person to do these jobs for the entire company!

I guess i have to stop here before i affect everyone with my super stressed monday blues... but feeling kinda of destress after i have written so much hahha.. sorry guys for making u to read it :p

Communication Skill

Yesterday was the 9th toastmaster chapter meeting. There was a girl, plain looking and couldn’t speak proper English. But her speech was inspiring at least she touched my heart. The speech title was how to improve on our communication skill. She narrated a blind boy who was holding a piece of paper "I'm Blind. Please help." and all the busy city dwellers just come and go without even bother to take a glance at the poor boy.

Then came across a gentleman, he walks up to him and turn that piece of paper and wrote a few words and walk off. Soon people starts to donate money to this poor boy. The boy could recognize the footstep of the gentleman the next day. He asked the man, "what did you write on my paper yesterday?" The man said, I just wrote "Today is a beautiful day but i cannot see."

If you were to donate, will u donate the 1st or 2nd wordings? I will choose the 2nd one too.

Many people think that communication is only how well you speak with your clients, your colleagues, your family and your friends. Actually its a Yes and No.

Communication skill is not totally skill on how well you speak. Its also ties in closely with the way you can write and how well you could deliver your message to the receiving party. It need not be a form of speaking, it could be written as well. Communication skill has a wide context.

Most of the time, I have to design artworks that my clients want if not there will be no more jobs for the next time. I can't design something that i like and forgetting about what the clients needs. I have to be sensitive to my surrounds. Creativity may be killed in the process. But its something, we have to compromise at certain times.

No doubt, this girl doesn’t portray a good image when she talks but Rome was not build within a day. I’m sure she can be the one she wants to be one day. Because, she would have mastered the skill of communication. :)

All is you

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Beautiful lyrics written by Guang Liang. He is a talented composer with feelings :)

Failures and Rewards

Sunday was a hot afternoon. I was dragging my feet to Braddell heights CC to attend International Speech & Table Topics Contest organised by S Division Toastmaster Club. There were 5 contestants and each speech was captivating and entertaining.

One of the speeches that caught my attention was the 1st speaker, Benjamin Cheng. He told a story about his nephew, had a fall, got up and continued to walk. Soon, he fell down again but this time he refused to get up. He said, "bum pain pain and why not you carry me?" No matter how much Ben asked or coax him to get up, he simply refused. Until, Benjamin gave in and finally says:"Alright, i will treat you ice-cream." The kid immediately said, "I want Haagen Dazs, cholocate chips ice-cream." and he got up immediately.

This gives me a room to ponder. Even a kid would ask for a reward. In our life, our rewards can be big or small. In the working environment, you could be asking for a promotion/pay increment or in life you could just win a lottery or even a free vacation to rest your feet.

No matter what the reward is. Have we ever think about: Everytime when we make a fall, how much time do we need to get up on our feet and move on? Are we waiting for our rewards to drop down before we can move on? What happens if the rewards never appear or not yet to appear, does that means that we could never move on?

Some people make a fall in their life and refuse to face it and thinkin that the problem will disappear or fade off one day. While others will choose to face the problem bravely and move on with their life. These are the people who see the sunlight in the tunnel and will shine brighter than others.

I find that his speech was inspiring. It teaches me to face my own fear and problems bravely in future. Not to run away from it as i know it will not go away. I know i just have to do something to tackle it :) Yes, and im glad that i dragged my feet to the CC that day.

10 mins of Glamour

"Cool... you have a nice smile". The focus was all on me. My face flushed up and i just knew that i got to make it! Was in my company photo shoot today. It was fun! Its the first time i take such professional shoot ;p The photographer was fun.. keep telling us funny jokes to make us smile naturally.

3 days back, my colleague send out an email to tell all of us that a few of us are selected to be in our annual report. Therefore, they will hire the photography agency to take professional photos for us. My hair was in the mess, got no choice!

The next day, i have to rush down the hair salon to do something about it. I told my hairstylist i got a photo shoot on fri. Just want cut and a hair highlight.. She just recommend if i want to try the spa perm.. As i have been thinking about perming for 2 years.. so im easily convince to give it a try since i want a new look, new change.

The waiting and sitting time is the killer. Start from washing hair, dry, cut, perm, treatment, wash, highlight and color and treatment again, wash and finally dry! I feel like i was some freaks when they roll up my hair and connect some rubber tubes with my hair for perming. Not only that... my hairstylist seems like spreading some "grape jam" on my hair and cover with alumnium foil and wait to be steam:p yah I just help but keep yawning and tearing.. 6 hours of "torture"!

When i go back to office, the next day, all my colleagues say its a nice perm keke... and yes.. the glamor, which i always dream about :)

Eight Below

Was hopping to shop at rebuilt Cathay. But who knows, none of the shops was opened only the cinema. Looking through the shows, and my friend only wanted to watch "Eight Below", I was half unwilling to watch with her... spending 10 bucks to watch dogs movie.. no thanks man.. but then walking all the way from the mrt to cathay and not watching any show is also not right.

To my surprise its a heartwarming show. Its about 3 members of a scientific expedition who are forced to leave their team of 8 beloved sled dogs behind in Antarctica for six months due to a sudden accident and perilous weather conditions.

There's one scene, the man went back to look for the scientist, who turn down previously to helped him to look for his dogs. The man said to the scientist:"Im sorry that i have made my problem yours. Like what you have said.. In your life, this is something that you care for and you will do it and thats what im going to do for mine."

I was inspired by the words he said. I believed everyone of us must have something/person you really care for and is willing to go all the way for it. Sometimes other people do not think the same way as you, people may throw you cold water and discouragement. I feel that you must do it. If you doesnt, probably it is not what you really care about. OR if you dont do it, you will just probably leave with regrets..

Its a truely inspired movie :) Just 3 words: I Love it!

PS: sorry to a friend that i did not watch with her.

What Does Your Future Hold?

Yesterday, my colleague told us he went to see a fortune teller. He was told that he needs to slog until when he's 30. His life will change. Normally i don't believe in fortune teller but and I was too bored and so coincidently, my friend send me this PALMISTRY TEST so i decided to play. (btw, play it only when u have time because its a 10 pages of questions haha)


And here i got this result:
"The shape of your hand reveals that you are especially good at Listening to your heart Based on the signs in your palm, you have much to gain by listening to your intuition when making decisions — even if it doesn't seem rational. By putting directed energy toward the wisdom of your heart, your efforts will be returned multi-fold."

True, most of the time, i follow my heart, as it does not fail me. Sometimes my mind will procrastinate, quarrels with my heart and refuse to hear anything and that's where the things start to go haywire :p And what can i do? Just have to bear the consequences.. And move on!

Why do people want to go to fortune tellers, take up such tests? It's the sign of lack of confidence and faith in themselves. They are unsure what they want and hoping that the fortune tellers tell them what to do.

My colleague told me the palm lines will change every 5 years. If what she say is true, then your future lies in your hands, not the hands of the fortune tellers or the god. Every decisions you make, will lead to what you will be in the future...

Maple Addict

Angel and Devil in me had a chat yesterday.

Devil: Yeh, Im level 42!!! I can level up 1 level per day in maplestory.

Angel: Hmmm, so what you can level up per day? Did you do the things that you suppose to plan or have you neglect your friends, family or your work?

Devil: Aiyah, not all things are urgent now mah. Now i want to quickly level up my skills so that i can be a great mage.

Angel: A Great Mage? You cant even handle yourself well in real life so what if you are a great mage..

Devil: ...............

Oh Gosh.. i think i have become a maple addict! Yah its true that the first thing to do when i got home is to train my character, edspiral. Even weekends, when im outside, i will want to quickly get home. This game is so addictive and this is so unhealthy!

There are so many things waiting for me to do in real life. My work, my family & friends and myself. What happened to my great plans i have in mind for the past few months. Hmmm all have pushed away and procastinate, for just 3 weeks.

I shall put this to a halt. I will pull myself out of this maple island for time being.