Bunaken (Manado). Little island with plenty to offer. This year, I’ll make another trip there.
Sunrise at Bunaken (Manado)
Archive for February, 2009
Taken during a trip to Sydney in 2004. I was in the midst of changing jobs and decided to visit my sister in Sydney. In a day trip to the famed Blue Mountains, I stumbled upon a trail that led me to Wentworth Falls. While walking down the path by the side of the fall, a beam of sunlight hit the waterfall. The water droplets looked like millions of little gold coins falling off the cliff.
Wentworth Falls during Spring
November that year, I bought my first DSLR. I did my last dive in September where I came back with a perforated eardrum (again!). But this time round, it was much worse than the previous time. Since I have to stop diving till it heals (which typically takes 2 weeks), I decided I’ll go windsurfing:D The seawater caused further infection and I have pus flowing out of my ear at work one day. 2 days later, I was half listening (half, because I was almost deaf on the right) to a lecture from the specialist. So mesmerised by the world undersea, I asked him “if I don’t mind being deaf on one side, can I still dive?” (his facial expressions and hand gestures became more animated at that point).
That was pretty much one of the lowest point of my life (at that time). I had saved up for a underwater digital camera at that time, but it seems like it’s not going to happen anymore. So on impulse, I bought an entry level DSLR. Coming from an engineering background, I have no problems understanding how a camera works. That helped alot in the initial months. Google and the library are my best friends when it comes to photography.
I started taking photographs of my labrador retriever (Triever) and bringing the camera to my weekly trips to the beach with him. Went to the Botanic Gardens as well. Like every new camera owner, I plan trips to take photographs. Just me and Triever.
Triever getting a little bored with all that shooting.
The usual weekends where I brought him to the beach.
The very first shots I took at Botanic Gardens. I liked this alot but I was told by a friend that it sucks (i suspect she doesn’t like green).
I remember when I first bought the DSLR, I have friends who commented “wah… turning PRO” (add two tablespoons of sarcasm and stir well). I was a little disturbed by comments like that. Come to think of it… they’re pretty good with predictions:D
I’m spending my weekend archiving my personal images from 6 years ago. As the computer churns out the little thumbnails, it felt like a slideshow back into the past. Everything seemed like yesterday. Where I used to stay, my dogs, my travels, my family, the sunflowers I grew, the very thoughts that went through my mind when I took those images. Oh yes, and the self portraits… man! what happened over the past 6 years!!?!:P
How long have you been doing photography? This question almost never fail to pop up whenever I meet clients (the 2nd most popular question to… “what does feldberyl mean”). I picked up my first serious camera in November 2003. Prior to that, I bought a TWO MEGAPIXEL (ok, it’s big deal at that time) digital camera when I was studying in Brisbane. Main purpose of the camera was to have fun. There was this time when my housemate left used plates on the coffee table, I’ll use masking tape to tape out the perimeter and put a card with a number on it (just like a crime scene). Then I’ll take a picture and send it to all my housemates and ask, who did it (ok, all for good fun).
2003, I started off with my first DSLR, a very modest Canon 300D. I bought it because I broke my eardrum and doctor told me that I can’t dive anymore. I was angry with myself and I went, screw it, let’s go spend some money. I walked into Cathay Photo, told the guy I wanted a DSLR (the cheap one). While fiddling with the camera, I asked, where is the LCD screen (for preview)? I think the sales guy must’ve laughed his head off after I left. I still cringe whenever I think about it. Dumbass…
I’ll post more over the weekend when I have time. 6 years is alot of crap to talk about ok.
giving away the bride has never been easy.
Didn’t post anything over the past 2 days. Like, big deal right? Actually not. I’ve been pretty busy with some stuff of late. Partly trying to extinguish that burning desire to get a MINI cooper. All thanks to kelvin and my recent obsession with go-karting.
I’ve been wanting to write about this awhile ago. But I thought I’d try to confirm it before I talk about it. The topic? The dreaded cold sores. Disclaimer, I’m not a doctor so this is not a medical advice. It’s just based on my personal experiences.
For people who suffer from occasional attacks from cold sores will know how it feels. It SUCKS big time. Every attack usually last at least 1 week. Although it doesn’t affect the functionality of the body, but it kills the aesthetics (or whatever’s left:P). They usually appear under certain circumstances, common ones being, immune system down and overexposure to sunlight.
Recently I bought some Vitamin C pills and found that it actually reverses the cold sores even after lesions appear. It works ALOT better than the creams that I’ve bought OTC. Initially I thought it might just be an one off incident but it saved me more than once. It may or may not work for you, but I think it’s worth a try (I got Redoxon Vita Immune). I know how terrible it feels to have one.
Now I have them on standbys for the late nights and prolonged outdoor activities.
…and I can’t control the weather, give you blue skies, fluffy clouds and east wind:) You’ll need a little luck for that. What we can do is, make the best out of a situation. In this case, the haze worked very well. I can’t ask for more really:D Think, positive.
I was talking to Norman earlier and he asked me if I do my own housework. I said, “no”. My part time maid comes in twice a week to clean up the house. I used to do alot of those when I studied in Australia. I just wondered if anyone still does everything by themselves, especially for those who are married. Don’t be shy, please chip in a vote (for the readers at Livejournal, please come here to vote because the poll only works on one site).
Loading ...I am quite proud to say at least I make my bed every morning after I wake up (at least in this new house). I love neat beds!:D Let’s see how long it’ll last:D