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Archive for February, 2007

大年初三

It’s the third day of lunar new year, I decided to pick up my lazy ass and visit grandma. I didn’t go on the first day because I really hate it when my relatives start bormbarding me with questions like, “where’s your gf?”, “when you getting married?”, “how’s the market out there?”… etc. I mean, I know that I only see them once a year, but seriously… can’t people come up with more constructive stuff? Like, “I know of a very nice girl, maybe I can fix up a date for you if you are interested/available.” OK, that’s just an example, but something along that line would be helpful.

 

Grandma was taking a nap when I arrived. She woke up and kept asking who am I. At 94, I guess, I’m just a blurry patch, but still, she knows after awhile. As the conversation went on… she asked, “Where’s your brother?”, “Does he have a “friend” (took me 2 seconds to understand the term “friend” – means gf)?”, “Is he working now?”. Then the same set of questions for my sister as well, with abit of variation since she’s married. Then my turn. Kind of sad when she started asking if I have a “friend”.

 

Anyway, she repeated the same set of questions 3 times, but each time I answered with abit of variation. Tickles me abit when I know she could pick up the differences. And she started asking how much I earn. I have to say she knows the market pretty well:) And then she asked, “Why isn’t your brother getting married?”… then added… “getting married is very expensive…”. Oh yeah, it is… especially the photography.

 

I don’t know why, but I have never visited my grandma alone, except last year and this. I felt so much closer to her whenever I visit her alone. Previous years, it’s just like a gathering and then everyone just go around saying some customary “nice” words and that’s it! I just thought this is so much more meaningful. Throughout the whole conversation, she kept telling me…

 

“平安就好。。。顺顺利利。。。”

 

And I like how she smiled at me when she said, “I’m 94 this year…”. Perhaps I’m getting old too.

 

Feels good to feel good. It’s a great day out there. No pretentious bullshit this new year, Gong Hei Fart Choi!:P

 






Happy Valentine’s Day… Part 2

Reminiscing the better [tag]Valentine’s Day[/tag] moments I had:) Few years back, when I tried my hand in growing [tag]sunflowers[/tag], I planned to have them bloom around Chinese New Year. It never crossed my mind that V-day is around that time of the year too.

 

 

  






Sunsets in Kuta, Bali

I met Kani and Shirley last weekend to pass them their wedding photos and was told that they had their honeymoon in Bali. We started chatting about how GREAT [tag]Bali[/tag] was. The lifestyle, the people, the beautiful [tag]sunsets[/tag] and all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 






Happy Valentine’s Day…

Last year, this day, I was told to fly to Germany for a project. You know, of all dates, they have to choose this. Ok, not as if it bothered me, since I was dateless anyway.

 

But then, that was also the last time I saw Black Jack (my 2nd labrador). After spending 3 weeks in bitter cold Germany, mum called and told me that they have decided to give him to a fisherman. I knew it’s going to happen sooner or later, but it just sucks to know that they have to do it when I’m away. It’s been a year and I heard he’s now  King of the Kelong. I’ll be planning a visit soon… really soon. I hope he remembers me.

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Post-Forum snippets

So… what happened after the sharing session last night. We (me, nic, ron, kuang, ead, tommy and jeff (or was it geoff?)) headed to Maxwell for some supper.

 

Before we left, I was introduced to Eng Hong (Kuang’s assistant), whom I’ve heard about, but never met before and also Yaohui. I still remember him from one of those Clubsnap meetups few years back and also some of his lomo/holga works posted in the forums. Always nice to see familiar faces in the crowd.

 

This is my first time meeting Nic, although we probably spoke over the phone before when I called the shop to enquire about camera equipment prices. But this man, I tell you, is one of the funniest person I’ve met for a long time. And the ideas we exchanged made Kuang wonder, what kind of dreams we have at night. I think… we shall keep him in cc for our coffee shop talk. And time to make a trip down to TCW (The Camera Workshop).

 






Why? Because I want to…

Last night, we had a sharing session with some wedding photographers at Kay Ngee Tan Architect Gallery. It was interesting, and I think everyone who participated learned something new, I hope. And this, I hope, will help them improve in the way they deal with clients and shape their business model.

 

For me, the question that hit me real hard was, “why do I want to turn full time?”. Frankly speaking, it’s hard. If you do the mathematics (which I have done 101 different models of it), it’s not all that easy. Given that my full time job is paying my bills now, wedding photography supplements my income and I get to choose if I want to shoot or not without having to worry about bills, this is an ideal situation. But unknown to others, the amount of work and sacrifice I put in, makes one think if it’s all worth it. I have been spending very little time with my parents. Very often, I will doze off on the sofa right after dinner, waking up only to find my parents already sleeping. And almost everyday, I’ll be happy if I get 6 hours of sleep.

 

As for doing it full time, it’s not going to be easy either. But hey, life’s never easy to begin with. But at least I know, I’ll be getting the sleep that I have been missing badly over the past 2 years. And the stuff I want to do, the places I want to go… and the people I want to meet and spend time with. 2007 is going to be a great year:)

 






I don’t know if you know, how they party in Taipei…:P

…If you’ve seen it then you mean it
Then you know you have to go…

 

Just booked our tickets to Taipei!:) It’s a personal holiday trip. Don’t worry, we don’t party that much, we’re just going to VERIFY that the video is true:P
 






Pele’s got a new home

After 3 weeks of meet ups, house visits, trials and drama, Pele (Reggina’s black labrador) finally found his way to Justin’s place. Monica initially wanted to have him at her place, but the idea was turned down by her housemate. Anyway, Justin’s place seem to have a better environment and also a new playpal, Limit (an exceptionally well groomed mongrel). Both of them seem to get along with each other really well. Limit behaves like a big brother while Pele, always in his own world.

 

Last night, I watched Justin and Monica walk both dogs in the park. I look at Pele, and those eyes, remind me so much of Triever. It’s been almost 3 years since he left us. After I left their place, I took an unusually slow drive back home, thinking about Triever, the great times we had. It all seem like yesterday and I wished, I have the power to turn back time. If only.

 

Good dogs go to heaven.