Jan's BIG Day

I have known Jan for 11 years and finally hear her wedding bells. Happy for her that she found her true happiness. It's a solemnisation held at Furama Riverfront. It's quite a wuloo place to find, luckily there is such transport called cab, dropped me off right at the door step of the hotel.

Although its a simple formality of solemnisation, I can feel the happiness from the wedding couple. I have met two of my ex colleagues. I can't tell any difference in their appearances but I'm happy that everyone is happy with their life :)

As I chat with the event photographer about photography stuff and end up we start exchanging our contacts. It's kind of funny to get such freelance job through this way hahaha :) I guess I must start making my own business card keke

China, Please WAKE up!

When the news of China's tainted milk scandal rumbled on Wednesday, there are few signs people are willing to blame their nation's top leadership despite evidence the health risks were covered up for months.

China has said 53,000 children have been sickened by milk contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine, which is normally used to make plastics.

It has led to four deaths so far and prompted a host of nations to ban, or at least scrutinise, Chinese dairy imports, further tarnishing the reputation of the "Made in China" label.

Melamine, when added to milk, can make it appear richer in protein.

In a frank editorial Wednesday, the China Daily said political leaders had succeeded by their crisis management to reassure the public while at the same time scaring local officials into more responsible behaviour.

When I heard about it, my first thought is our life considered that worthless to the China government's eyes? The milk scandal is not only affecting China people, its affecting worldwide...

I feel that China crisis management is to "cover up". Its an unethical act but no one seems to be able to stop these unforgiveable nonsense. Yes no doubt there are so many unethical businessmen around... but China government seem to be involved indirectly. It's kind of sad and anger to recieve such bad news from China over and over again...

Whenever there is a "BAD" News, First thing they do, is not to resolve it. They will try their best to cover up until it can't be covered up by then, it has become too late to resolve.

This kind of covering up incidents are not just one or two cases... its on-going cases. Just that the problems haven't been surfacing out at the moment. If you ask me, I have lost the faith in China products in terms of food industry... Where is their credibility and ethical values have gone to?

If China still don't wake up the idea, chances of losing international businesses will be very high. Can China dare to bear this heavy consequences?

Angpow Craze

Antalis Ang pow contest deadline is drawing near... and I haven't do anything much... trying to stay focus but can't find any relevant or good ideas on year of cow...

Anyway, I'm easily distracted... kinda of used to it already... Suddenly I have the urged to design wedding angpow for my good friend. The crazy part of me just wanted to do it.. Ok, okay i will do it... and tada...

Here comes my first wedding ang pow design..

Hope this ang pow will lead me to the real inspirations for the real ang pow design for the contest!

Encourage myself to TRY

Today I was SUPER busy and tired... but i was pleased with my printed photography project. I had been working on it for nearly 2 months and the fruit of my hardwork has ripen slowly.

It has been a long, long time since I felt such a sense of job satisfaction with my own work. The feeling is indescribable... Every effort and sweat that I have put in this project. I really believe hardwork pays off despite of many hipcups!

There are many "first try" in this project:

1) I really happy that I didn't procastinate my own thoughts and shot down my own ideas.

2) I shared with my parents about my work with excitement. At first, they thought I was photocopying someone's work. Until I told them, everything from finding information, putting things together till sourcing for right printer is all done solo by me! Then they give the impressed look on their face hahaha

3) Faced problems with the process but learnt to find other methods to resolve.

The most happy thing is I have encourage myself to TRY! I'm grateful for friends who have helped me / given me good advices in this project :) NOW I can pat on myself that I did a good job :)

Sand Artist - Just Imagine

Just Imagine - Ilana Yahav

Ilana Yahav is a sand animation artist. Using only her fingers, Ilana draws with sand on a glass table. Ilana draws on sand, using only her fingers. As she weaves together sand, lighting and music, Ilana creates incredible three dimensional vistas they play out in perfect time with the musical accompaniment, Indeed, it is difficult to decide if the music accompanies the work of art, or vice versa Ilana's fingers dance in the sand on the glass to the music, the resulting aesthetic dynamic is powerful and moving.

I'm touched by her talents as she weaves the sand. She has brought us into her world of fantasy. She is a true artist!

RSAF commercial 2008

I am the wind.
On land, no blade of grass moves without me
At sea, every rising waves is touched by me
Wherever you are, I am high enough to see you
and strong enough to reach out to you
and placed strength in your hands
You may not always see me
But you always feel me
For I am here, for a higher purpose.

I think most of you have seen this RSAF commercial 2008 video commerical. In the past, they never use voiceover to describe the mission of RSAF. I feel that it is a well delivery commercial, using effective words like "moves, touched, strength, feel and higher purpose" to trigger our emotions and it sends a very positive message that "Civilians are safe in our AIR FORCE team."

Beyond riches and statuses

Once upon a time, there was a striped caterpillar which always thinks there is a much greater things in life that is yet to explore but she was afraid. One day, a yellow caterpillar crawls up the tree. She decided to follow the crawling trails of the caterpillar. When she managed to climb up the top of the tree and finds that there is nothing much out there. She was so disappointed.

The story challenges us to look beyond finding success and fulfilment as yellow caterpillar take a risk to discover and recognise the natural potentials that lies within and soar.

Know what happens to the striped caterpillar in the end? The yellow caterpillar told striped caterpillar that she will turn into a butterfly that she meant to be by simply being one self...

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I really, really like this story because most of us often seek for something more in our life but is that truely what we wanted? I finally realised that my TRUE happiness comes from my inner self and not getting for exernal sources... ONLY I can make myself BE Happy or Sad! Our life only live once...

New insights about marriage

A lady was sharing about her marriage life. People has told her that marriage is a 3-ring relationship: engagement ring, wedding ring and suffering.

I know its quite a negative remark. But to her, she view her marriage life as a movie journey. Before marriage, it was like a fantasy movie. After marriage, the journey becomes exciting, some times you get to watch romance, sometimes you get to watch a comedy movie or even a fighting movie. At times, we may need to watch horror movie, even we hate it.

I do agree with her that we can be selective what kind of movies, we prefer to watch. However, we should always try to make an effort to enjoy any movies that comes along our way... experience fully of our very own movie journey.

Crackpots...

A wonderful story that I feel that I must share!

Everyone of us is an unique individuals. Like what I have said before, we all have our own imperfection, and because of its imperfection, that makes us complete in our life..

Let's start to embrace and enjoy the little things in LIFE... =D

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An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. 'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.'

The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?' 'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'

'For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws, we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.

You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the goodness in them.

To all of my crackpot friends, pls love yourself and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

Move on

Most of my friends although they read my blog frequently but they never make any comments. It's alright as long as sometimes I could inject some positive thoughts or encouragement into you. I feel that it's good enough for me :) I saw the encouragment on my small setback today. I'm happy that at least 2 friends in this world still cares about me :)

A friend... msn to me and tells me that he wants to get on with his life. I am really happy for him. He has finally straighten out his thoughts. I have encouraged him and I know that he will able to move on. Time is all he needs.

Sometimes, we just need someone's support or encouragement. It need not be giving advice, just be a good listener will help as well. Our negative mindset will slowly destroy by our positive mindset and we just move on with our life. No one can live without friends or family, no matter how strong your willpower is.

Jia You! You know who you are :)

Small Setback

Today is the humorous speech & evaluation contest. It's my first time taking part. My speech was "Walking down the memory lane". Before the contest, I have been practising and thinking ways of tickling the audience's funny bone.

First thing in my mind was blank then next I was panic when i saw so many pairs of eyes staring at me. I knew I was going to screw up and yes I made my first glory from the bottom!

After i had reviewed my own speech delivery, mistakes I have made and I concluded that the biggest problem I really need to resolve, is to unlock myself. I have locked myself up too much until I can't even enjoy talking. When audience can't feel your emotions, they can't appreciate what you want to say and how would they able to laugh....

I enjoyed the evaluation part. The speaker speech title is "Fake Masters" about how toastmasters are teaching us how to be a fake person. After I evaluate the speaker with my sincerity, and just before the ending of the conclusion, I share with him that fake and sincerity is just one fine thin line. I guess my sincere evaluation has made the speaker come up to me that he has enjoyed my evaluation as well.

It's okay, it's just a small setback. For at least it's an interesting experience and I have the courage to try, isn't it?

I can't see, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist

I was looking at some abstract art paintings from 1900s today. Some of the meanings behind the paintings I can understand but some were too abstract that I can't tell what does the artist is trying to illustrate. Perhaps the artist was trying to hide something but he will still leave some clues behind for the viewer to spot.

"Cubism was a product of sight
New Art forms were derived from nature
Abstract Art was a product of thought
New Art forms were derived from mind & soul
Not a question of style but one's intention."

PS: The painting was painted by Picasso - Girl With Mandolin in cubism form. Cubism is a non objective school of painting and sculpture developed in Paris in the early 20th century, characterized by the reduction and fragmentation of natural forms into abstract, often geometric structures usually rendered as a set of discrete planes.

Now I understand NO ARTWORK is rubbish. Did we really SEE the real intention before we place our judgement down?

"I can't see, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist."

Olympian Spirit

It's once again my favorite sport games of all time. The Beijing Olympics 2008. Eight is an auspicious number in Chinese culture. The event started on 8th August 2008, 8:08pm. The Greatest Olympian of all times, Michael Phelps has achieved his dreams - 8 gold medals!

It is one of the greatest miracles I ever seen. It's very tough to get 1 gold, let alone a person getting 8 gold medals and breaking the world records! I'm amazed by Michael Phelps for achieving so much in pursuiting his dreams!

On the other hand, I have seen a documentary, "Little big dreams". It's about a Chinese 9 year old kid sent to Local Athletic School. His family was poor. Their dream was to make him into an Olympian in future. However, he doesn't have the advantage of a good body for learning gymnastic. He told the reporter that if other kids have to practice 200 stunts, he got to practice 400 stunts. His instructor hits him like mad whenever he makes a mistake but that's part of the tough training. He will throw big temper and crying but he is a kid afterall. His parents felt so sad for their own kid but they have no choice... 7 people have pin all their hopes on him!

They interviewed the instructor. He is not only imparting the skills but he also wanted to teach the kids about life lessons. If the kids cant even endure such pain, he will not be able to achieving anything in future. His instructor's aim is to push every students potential to the fullest.

True enough after going through tough training, they have to go through a test which held every year, to test whether he can make into the Olympic training school. The big dreams and hopes come the family were dashed if their kids did not make it to the school. Fortunately, this perseverance little kid made it and all the pain and sadness seems to disappear....

It's endurance. It's strength. It's pressure... I SALUTE to all athletics for making the impossible possible!!! That's the true spirit of an Olympian!

Food for thought: Jack Neo

I was watching Jack Neo's interview the other day. He talked about his background, his family, his likes and dislikes and how he turned his movie career into fruitful success.

It was amazing that a person without any O level qualification in these days can achieve so much. There was a time, he felt awful about himself when he can't complete his studies. He wanted to prove himself worthy when someone told him that we can never make movies in Singapore. He asked himself, "Why not?"

Qualifications can only bring you so much but eventually it is more important whether we can breakthrough our own thoughts and constantly changing ourselves for the better. I always tell myself that everyone can be an useful person and we have a mission in our life we need to accomplish. We are not successful because we haven't find our niche yet.

When the whole world thinks that it cannot be done but you go and do it. Prove to the world that it can be done. You have changed the perspective of people's mind. Isn't that amazing? Just need an idea trigger....

FOCUS

So many things to do
So little time...

Every hour, Every minute
Every second, every click
Each moment, each step
Approaching death a little closer each time.

Life is a snappy camera
Capturing memories and imagery
Of my happiness, anger, tears and joy

I always ask myself
What do i want in this life?
My future to hold?
What kind of masterpieces do I want to create or
A legacy do I want to leave behind?

So many things in my head
So little time...

I know that time won't wait for me
It's the race against myself and time
I will have to run ahead of time
Or it will control me...

I always hear myself this
I am going to do it tomorrow
next month.
next year.
and never end up doing it...

And when I look back,
Why didn't I do it?
Why did I miss the opportunity?
Why didn't I listen?

What have I learnt from my painful experiences
is to Focus now or regret later...

BEFORE and AFTER marriage

My friend sent me this sarcastic email about before and after marriage. I had a good laugh after reading it because it is true in some ways. I can't deny that some couples just don't value marriage as much as our parents generation. Our generations just have a bad habit of comparing and complaining.

Should we start to ask ourselves what is point of comparing? Does it make us feel good? No, I don't think so. I guess most of the time, when you start comparing, it will make you feel much worse and lousy. Stop comparing and complaining, you will start to enjoy your marriage life.

以前提到結婚，想到「天長地久」；現在提到結婚，想到「能撐多久」。

當初會結婚，說是「看上眼」；後來會離婚，說是「看走眼」。

戀愛時，一見面就「親嘴」；結婚後，一見面就「鬥嘴」。

戀愛時，「情話綿綿」；結婚後，「謊話連連」。

婚前，愛情是「神話」；婚後，愛情是「笑話」。

婚前，男人經常找女人「討論」；婚後，男人只告訴女人「結論」。

婚前，情侶做什麼都是「浪漫」；婚後，夫妻做什麼都是「浪費」。

婚前，「謊話」都是「情話」；婚後，「情話」都是「廢話」。

婚前，男人像「傳令兵」；婚後，男人像「指揮官」。

失戀不見得是世界末日：你的心也許會「泣血」，你的荷包卻可以不再「失血」。

Wedding. Gathering. Outing.

I believe you will notice me that I have been writing this blog not as frequently as compared to the past. Perhaps it a NEW chapter of my life. I have been quite busy with my personal life recently.

Just a quick update:
Buddy's Wedding
I have attended my buddy's wedding on 26th July! Yeah, finally see him going through Holy Matrimony. He is not an ordinary buddy to me. I have known him for 12 whole years since our poly times. I'm really happy for him. Though I'm not a Christian, I believe God will see him through his marriage smoothly as he has strong faith in him.

Very much wanted to take wedding photos for him, but there were 1 main wedding photographer and 2 friend photographers taking photos of the wedding. Although I took 3 pics of his vintage wedding car, I have enjoyed the process of his wedding :)

Farewell Gathering
Another colleague has left my company. Gosh, people are leaving practically every month. I hardly talk to the farewell girl in the past. She always keep to herself, sad looking face, and always find excuses not eating lunch with us! I thought perhaps she is a introvet person.

After she has tendered, she has changed back to her original self. I didn't know she is such a bubbly and fun girl to chat with. Yeah the funny thing is, I didn't know she is so chatty and we clicked well after she has tendered :) Although, ex company has lost a good staff, but I'm glad that I have made a new friend.

We ate our farewell dinner at Timbre. It nice ambience with band performances but lousy services and expensive drinks! But gathering with them for once awhile is FUN :) Because "Network through wonderful United Friendships, we will have FUN."

Bond Outing
As it is a new chapter of my life, I have made new friends within 3 weeks too :) I'm happy that this bunch of new friends are real and friendly people. They love building friendship bonds... They have organised a couple of "friendship" outings at various places, meanwhile can brush up my photography skills :) One stone hit two birds haha

That's all for now haha... Hope the next update wouldn't be too late... :p

World without Technology

Last week, my pc is giving me problems.... slow to react and sometimes I could hear the clicking sound from my harddisk.... I always have problem backing up my stuffs because before I could react on it, my harddisk just die on me. Then few years back, one of my friends gives me a good advice on checking the health of my harddisk. "When you heard some funny sounds from your cpu casing, your harddisk could be going to be burn out really soon".

This time round, I give it no chance, quickly backup my stuffs and format it. Strangely the clicking sound no more exist. I'm still wondering should I buy a NEW hard disk..

Here comes my handphone, I always wanted to put my friends' contacts in my SIM card. After I moved my contacts to SIM card, my handphone just go haywired, give me blank screen and all my contacts are gone... I was feeling panic, off my phone and restart a few times and all the contacts appeared. But all the contacts got jumble up... I had a hard time scrolling through the contacts that i wanted to call.

Thankfully, all problems have been resolved now.

My friend asked me what is the thing that is most important to me. It's obvious. My handphone! It makes me wonder what happens if one day, Im asked to go to a world without technology, will I still able to survive? I think probably I will feel so helpless and lost. I cant imagine myself, losing all the connection with friends...NO Internet, NO online games, NO blogging

But being a human, we have the ability of adjusting ourselves to the new environment. If that day were to come, I think I will have to force myself to do without them. Just like my parents who are trying to learn how to use the technology in the market.

Educate the wrong message?

一字之差，差之毫厘，谬以千里。卓越的传达设计，巧用文字艺术与文化语境，以画龙点睛。
The wrong use of words can be inconsequential or lead to an outrageous misinterpretation of the intended message. Exceptional communication design leverages on clear use of language within a cultural context to point the eyes of the dragon.

I saw this banner outside RED Dot museum. I was a little impressed by the chinese wordings but when i read the translated english language. I nearly fell of my chair...

Whoever did this, just merely translated directly without understanding the true meaning of "画龙点睛". "画龙点睛" means to add the finishing touch to the work. It is not what they have translated as pointing the eyes of the dragon.

I'm sure Design Agency's real intention is trying to educate the public about the wrong use of words can lead to misleading communication and but yet they don't even bother to translate the this whole message properly... isn't this ironic?

Living or sleeping our dreams?

I heard an interesting story about 2 brothers just now. These 2 brothers were staying on 80 stories flat. One day, they forgot about the notice that the lift is having maintenance. The younger brother says they should take the flight of stairs and the big brother agreed happily. At 20th floor, big brother says that they should leave their big baggage down so that they will not be bogged down by the weight of the baggage. They were happily chatting and feel relieved. At the 40th floor, they starts to get tired. Big brother starts to blame younger brother for not looking at the notice and brothers start to quarrel. At the 60th floor, both brothers were too tired to quarrel and they start to quiet down and support one another. Finally reaching the 80th floor where they stay, the brothers realised that the house key was in the baggage!

The morale of the story tells us that it is like a life journey. When we are young, we were filled with our dreams and goals in life. At age of 20, we are positive, full of energy. However, we need to attain a certain credential and status before pursuit of our dreams. At age of 40, we were busy struggling our daily life challenges, forgetting about our dreams and start blaming the society for giving us too many burdens. At age of 60, we are tired and wanted an easy life. Finally, at the age of 80, when we finally have the time to look back... we realised we have left our dreams at the age of 20. It's too late because life is a one-way journey.

Today is a day to ask ourselves... what kind of attitude are we using when we face our life. Are we sleeping on our dreams or living on other people dreams?