Thursday, January 28, 2010

Rethinking.

Its been a while since I’ve posted like this. And this is probably the umpteenth time I’ve said this but believe it or not, its true. So just continue reading if you want la.

You all should know by know, the older we grow, in some ways we grow wiser, in others even more dumbfounded than before. We also grow stronger yet weaker at the same time. We learn to see things in a new light whilst we forget what it once was like to perceive the world when we were younger.

Its a little confusing, this “growing up”, and all the twist and turns that come with it. It would be so much easier if it came in a box all packed up, and with a small warning saying: “Some assembly required”, or in some cases, “Batteries sold separately”._MG_6100 Its been a long time since I took this shot. Not breathtaking, I know, but back then when I first saw it, I was amazed that I was capable of taking such a shot. I guess that’s what its like when you look at some things for the first time. Your perception’s in a way, unadulterated. Untouched, if you may. But now I let too many things get in the way of getting a good shot. For instance, whether or not my equipment or experience is sufficient enough.

So its been a while since I’ve gone out taking photos and actually enjoying it. Nowadays I just take photos for the sake of taking photos. And decided to take normal, run-of-the-mill shots that most people are happy with, like standing up in a group and all posing for the camera, people with fake smiles and what not.

But I don’t want that anymore.

I won’t settle for run-of-the-mill-shots anymore.
I want so much more than that.

I want to take shots that could actually make people open their mouths and say, “Wow.” Shots that will make people actually take time to look at rather than skim through.

So I’ll work hard. There’s no easy way to get there, but with hard work and determination I’ll get there.

Just like I won’t settle for run-of-the-mill shots, I won’t stop searching for that one girl who can make life worthwhile.

Maybe she’s searching too, maybe she’s lost.

Maybe she’s waiting, maybe she’s on hold.

Maybe she’s already been found, just not by me.

But what if, maybe, just maybe, by some off chance, I come across her, just in time to save me from becoming what the world wants me to be.

She’ll help with some of the assembling. And she’s definitely the batteries that are sold separately.

She’s out there, I know it. Maybe I overlooked her, I don’t know. But I do know, I just have to look harder._MG_6096Look hard enough, and you just might see a heart there.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Closure =D AND CHRISTMAS

Yes I know its a little too late to blog about Christmas, but what you gonna do huh? lol anyway Christmas in 09’ was pretty good, considering both my mom and Basil were off to Australia for 3 weeks XD

So on Christmas day it was the usual stuff, headed to church for Christmas service till about 1, then headed home to prepare for Brian’s Birthday/Christmas party. In case you’re wondering, yes my brother Brian was born on Christmas.

So let’s start off with the Christmas service in church It was your basic Christmas service, worship, sermon, and ooh, baptism. Congrats to Joshua on getting baptised.*yes its a little too late I know*IMG_0813 Christmas in church was fun la, just the usual stuff. Only difference was there were new faces, old, familiar faces nowhere to be found, and some faces just plain gone. Gave me a little time to reflect on the holidays.The children church also had a performance. Cute. Guess who was behind the piano the whole time? =D

My very own youth cell, Christ Clan had a dance performance! Was supposed to be in it, but they started practicing mid-SPM. Plus I’m not capable of keeping up with them. Brendon Khoo don’t dance, people. Awesome no? This what you get when you don’t have a zoom lens ==

After the sermon and Bible readings were over, we were left with a little time to stone before the Christmas Lunch began, so I took a few pics here and there. Don’t ask. Joe just probably wanted a new dp. Uncle Jimmy on the other hand, doesn’t really mind what type of picture you take of him. lol

After taking part in Holy Communion, me and Lau snuck out to take pics of the food we were going to have for lunch. Say hello to: Siew Yoke. And Roast pork backside as you can see in the picture. There was plenty more food believe me, its just what I was too busy sneaking in a bite or two that I forgot to take photos. But for your benefit, there was a massive array of cupcakes, nasi lemak, yams, etc etc. Awesome as always.

Now we all now Santa doesn’t exist *lets face it, how could a guy of his weight and fashion style survive 5 minutes here?* but the cupcakes that are supposed to look like him sure tasted good.

So after church, shot straight home with dad and Basil to prep for the Christmas dinner we were having for Brian’s birthday. Joee came over early to help out, only to be attacked by my dog.Very the bored, so we took pics here and there. And then CHEN ARRIVED. We were stoning up until Keamsunn and Wei Lun came and we then had enough people to stone to our heart’s content.

Brian’s friends Cheri, Kent and Lai Kuan came over next and before you knew it, we were busy cutting, baking, frying, roasting etc etc etc etc. =D

Cheri. I know its a little late for credit, but if you ever read this, thanks again so much for all your help. Christmas would’ve been ruined had it not been for your quick thinking in the kitchen.

I’d put up a picture of my maid, Dalis, but she didn’t even let me get a proper shot. But lemme put it simple, no kakak, no Christmas.

While I was busy in the kitchen cooking and making sure the turkey was doing well, Chen and Joee stole my camera for a bit == They came up with pretty good pics. By they, I mean nice job Chen. XD

Come to think of it, if it wasn’t for Chen, I wouldn’t have had a proper pic of my family’s Christmas tree. Checkit. This ornament’s been around a little longer than I have. Yea, we don’t have stars to place on the top of the tree, so we opted for golden angels.

MASHED POTATOES. MASHED POTATOES. This had to be the only dish that was totally finished that night. RUFFLES!!!!! tell, does he look like he’d harm a fly? Okay lemme rephrase that. Does he look like he’s capable of harming a full-grown, adult male?

So while Joee continued to play with my camera and take photos of herself in the mirror, don’t worry Joee, I’m not posting them up, THE TURKEY WAS JUST ABOUT DONE. It may have taken 24 hours of defrosting, 2 hours for preparation for the oven, 3 hours of slow, tender cooking, but look at that bird and tell me its not beautiful.And guess what the stuffing was. BREACRUMBS MIXED WITH OXFORD SAUSAGE, CHINESE MUSHROOMS, SAUTEED ONIONS AND BACON. Oh yea. Thatswhatimtokingbout.

The second my dad made the first cut at the drumstick, natural juices started pouring out. Okay not literally la, but there was some awesome stuff there. IMG_1025 HOMG this is like turkey porn wei. CV WHY DIDN’T YOU COME ASK KEAMSUNN HOW AWESOME THE FOOD WAS.

Okay there wasn’t just turkey, there were:French beans

IMG_0978Roast Beef

An assortment of other veggies. There was also Spaghetti Bolognese, but I forgot to take pics of that. Mainly because no one from my side could take a bite of that or the roast beef ==

Don’t be fooled, she just makes it look like she carved the turkey. My dad did all the carving. LOL Awesome friends, they are. Lol thanks again guys for helping out with preparations. AND FOR FINISHING THE FIRST AWESOME BATCH OF GRAVY.

Cheri, the Birthday Boy, and Kent. lol awesome people they are la. If you can’t tell what that is in the far left, its Darren, Brian’s chindian friend. lol he didn’t bother to get into the frame == Brian’s friends, Swee Wei(WUSHU GIRL)*don’t ask* and AudreyIMG_1042 And not forgetting Darren. =D

So while I was busy still preparing other parts of the dinner, my camera was left with Chen, Joee, Keamsunn, and Wei Lun. I forgot to switch the lens to autofocus ==IMG_1071 But they camwhored nonetheless.IMG_1101 IMG_1102 IMG_1126 IMG_1118 And then I regained control of the camera just in time for the birthday cake. XDIMG_1141 IMG_1142To this day, we both agree that the cakes should’ve been our classic favourite, pandan and yam jelly cake. Can only buy in ss2. IMG_1151 IMG_1152 IMG_1153 Check out both the pictures. LOLIMG_1155

So after everybody had cake, we had this Secret Santa thing, where you bring a gift worth 10 bucks, wrapped up, then place it under the tree to be given randomly to anyone later. And that’s exactly what we did. It was sorta lucky draw style, with numbered presents.IMG_1166Everyone got a chance to take a number outta the Red Army hat my dad brought back from China. Be prepared to see an assortment of jakun, had-too-much-fun faces. So we gave the gifts out numerically.

And guess who was first. IMG_1170 JOEEEEE YOUR GIFT WAS HUGEIMG_1171 Audrey with her huge Christmas crackerIMG_1172Darren, big guy, small gift. IMG_1173Yours truly with who knew what. IMG_1174Lai Kuan WITH KEAMSUNN’S PRESENT. IMG_1175 Swee Wei with another small presentIMG_1176lol Wei Lun really had fun IMG_1177 Kent apparently got something useful. LOLIMG_1178Cheri with my present IMG_1179 LOL Brian receiving Wei Lun’s present from IanIMG_1181Chen with her present. Not what you think people. IMG_1182Keamsunn was the last. TOOBAD

And here’s what everyone looked like when they opened their presents: IMG_1183 IMG_1184IMG_1188 IMG_1191 IMG_1193 IMG_1194 LOL KEAMSUNN NEVER FORGET.IMG_1195 IMG_1197 IMG_1199IMG_1201

But Brian’s present took about 10 minutes of unwrapping to open.IMG_1205 IMG_1206IMG_1207 IMG_1208 IMG_1209 For a glass box. LOL WEI LUN EPIC. We all laughed our asses off

IMG_1211IMG_1213Lol ks, I’ve been meaning to ask you how that bubble gun’s doing.

That’s about it for Christmas, could’ve been more epic in my opinion, but I guess we’ll just have to try harder this year eh? Everyone had a good time and after my gang left cos they had to get home, me and the rest of Brian’s friends stayed on to play Extreme Monopoly. Fun actually. Very fun. Like lawyer fun. Will update on other things soon. Hope you enjoyed the pics readers! I know its too late di*who am I kidding, ITS VERY LATE* but

MERRY CHRISTMAS

till the next post,

au revoir