How i wish I could wake up a little later, sleep a little longer, and enjoy Monday Mornings without worrying about going to work...

This is a photo opportunity that struck me when i woke up this morning...taking a panning shot of a bird flying freely in the sky. Abstract, blur or whatever you might call it...but i like it~!

It's a new event organized by the Penang State government to promote tourism as well as to promote Penang's culture to it's people as well as the tourists. This particular event is held every last Sunday of every month. This is quite a new event, and it runs from morning till 8 in the evening at Upper Penang Road, where all the celebrations are usually held.

My english is getting rather bad, so here...I'll let my pictures do the talking.


Teenagers performing on the streets for the event


A kind teacher from KL who entertains the crowd while teaching us some tricks (for FREE!!!)


One familiar face trying hard to win the prize(a small windmill).


I like this one, this creative man made up some figurines with sea shells he collected. I bought one from him as well. It costs only RM10 per piece, and have a lifetime warranty. We just need to bring it back to his shop in Batu Ferringhi where he'll fix it for us FOC.


Little girls drawing on the floor accompanied by their maid. These days, our children are more attached to their maids rather than their parents. Aih~


This is smth i like as well, some sort of a symmetrical resemblance.


And hey...we also have live band performing under the bright sunny day. This band is not bad as well...


Who say there's nothing interesting in Penang? Why does all the young people only know how to visit Gurney Plaza, Perangin Mall,....those kinda places??? Don't you know there's more out there than the stupid shopping complexes?

JOM! Let's Rediscover Penang.

Despite my busy schedule round the clock, my convocation photos uploaded. Details will be updated later... photos here

I can't think of a better topic for this post. Working life have been taking all the juice I have left in me. There's nothing I can do about it. 5 working day with weekends expected to work for another extra 4 hours. On top of that, "normal" working hours are 12 hours/day on weekdays. How am I suppose to see any sun light with this kinda working environment???

Well, I tried my best to cope with the new life. Came back from work one Sunday afternoon, fixed up the fan my dad bought for me to replace the spoilt motor on the "decorative" ceiling fan I used to have in my room. In my family, my dad trained me to be a handy man at home - building our own furnitures, do our own plumbing and fix electrical appliances just to name a few. Managed to get the new fan up and running without much problem.

Quite happy with the new fan as it comes with a remote control as compared to the classical way of having to move to the same place to tune the fan speed. With only 4 flippers, the fan will be more effecient as compared with 5 decorative ones. Spent 2 hours dismentaling it and replacing it with a new one. There's no need to switch the power supply off and get complains from other members of the family. My computer is still on while I took down the fan.

"Isn't that dangerous?", you might ask. Not really, if you study circuits well in your High School.

Right after fixing the fan, I spend some time to select some convocation pictures to develop. That's for my parents to show it to my other relatives, and to view it themselves. I really spend a lot of money on photographs, at least I think so myself. Photography have been my biggest investments so far, and I don't think storing digital copies are sufficient. A hardcopy is always safer.

Then I'll have to rush down town to meet up with Irene. Promised to accompany her shopping for the Mega Sales Carnival. Not that I have anything in mind to buy as I've already have ample clothes to last me for the next 30 years. The things that I'm interested to buy are not on sales, never will be. So, enjoyed one whole evening helping her to decide on which spectacles to ask Intel to pay for, to sexy cargos and cute new shoes. Not that I'm complaining, but she always feel guilty to drag me along when she's shopping.

The night ends with a delicious dinner at a Thai restaurant. Bringing her home, and spend some time at her place. Gave her a good massage before bidding my Sunday good night.

Have been taking a lot of "Buffet Trainings" with my group of friends when I was an undergraduate. We used to spend a lot of time visiting Steamboat buffets, as well as US Pizza during the weekends when they were having promotions. As far as I can remember, I can finish 6 pieces of pizza, 8 garlic bread sticks, a whole jug of ice lemon tea and finished the whole meal with 8 cups of ice cream.

After all these years ( make it sounds like i'm very old :P ) my tummy have getting weaker. Might be lack of training that I blame it on.

My collegues invited me to a Sushi buffet at a local dining outlet called Tao Restaurant in E-Gate. They serve unlimited Sushi at the price of RM48++. They did ask me to join their Futsal and Smoking sessions which I denied. But as I have been a fan of buffet, I happily asked them to include me into the list.

The traffic was terrible that night. We went there after work (8pm) and by the time I get a parking lot, it's almost nine. Met PK and her bf eating at Subway, have a little chat with them before I join the guys.

I was so hungry when I sat down that I swallow a whole 8 person's share of sashimi at one shot. Koay claims that I ate sushi like slurping down a bowl of noodles (whatever that means). Then I have a lot of seafood rolls (BIG MISTAKE!!!)...These rolls are very filling as they are made of mostly rice. After having some tempura and scallops, my stomach is already reaching the limit. The guys offered me more and more food, which I can't resist. By the end of the day, I'm so full that I need to ask for some oilment from Cheah. I don't even dare to open my mouth and chat as I'm so "mesmerized" with the food floating at my throat. Even by the smell of food, I start to have burps and hickups.

After bidding them farewell, drove out to face a crazy traffic jam. After turning into RECSAM's corner, I can't control and puked out on my floormat. Thank god I wasn't drinking...parked my car safely in front of RECSAM before throwing out on the drain. The first thing i saw coming out was the last thing i put in. F.I.F.O. it seems...the whitish ice-cream is all over the place. Since I don't bring any tissue paper or handkerchiefs I rub it on the only fabric I have on me - the uniform I'm wearing... :))

It's so much fun, puking out after finishing such a gigantic meal. Right after you puke, you'll find a kinda relieve you find in drinking liquor. The only difference is... police don't issue summons to people for being over-weight or over-ate. My parents don't even complain when I told them about the incident. So guys...go out and enjoy buffet, and puke it out as I did.

Labels: Myself

We have to wake up 5am in the morning to prepare ourselves. The convocation starts at 0800, but we started our journey at 0600 from Damansara Utama. Thanks a lot to my aunty who is kind enough to offer us a place to overnight, and I'm also very thankful that my gf can bear with the hard paquee floor as there is no extra matresses.

Reached cyberjaya relatively early as we managed to find a nice carpark near to the campus. Meet up with some of my friends and start taking photos. I'm really thankful that I've taught my girlfriend to handle my camera well, and she has an eye to make photographs instead of just snap shots.

The convocation hall was specially built and officially used for this particular purpose - MY CONVOCATION~!!! Haha...it might sound like a coincidence, but I find god is treating me really well for the past 24 years. I believe that with all the deeds I've done, and the prayers I've made, God really talk to me, and guide me along the correct path.

As we parade into the hall, our parents are already seated. I didn't bring my camera in as it'll look very awkward on stage. Thanks to Qi and Irene to babysit for me while I'm in the hall. I looked all over for my parents, can't find them anywhere. That time I was feeling worried, joy and nervous all in one. It's the first time both of them witness me on stage, and it might be the last if I don't perform in my latter years. Tears were rolling on my eyes as I was trying hard to make a call through. There was such a relieve when the I hear my mom's voice over the phone when it finally gone through...I almost cried.

Josh, one of my best friend in uni is beside me. He always has been. If it's not for him to make those jokes, I would've wet my robe with salty liquid. Very happy to be sitting with all of those friends that have accompanied me for at least 4 years. We have strived through projects, coorperate during assignments and supportive when each other is down with some relationship problems. These friends will have my full support when I'm in need.

As the chancellor and the other VVIPs parade in, I have a very close look on each and everyone of them. 90% of the faces are new to me, these are the people who recognises MMU's degree, or people who are so high up that a peasant like me will never be summoned to their castle. Tun Dr Mahathir attended this year as well, he doesn't look 20 years younger than his actual age. He has those "sloping" hair cut we used to have during secondary school. From what I know, he went to the same barber back in the days when he's still a doctor.

The ceremony lasts for 4 full hours. My dad sent me an sms asking me, " is there a mixed up?" as he didn't see me up on stage as the graduates of Faculty of Engineering went on stage to collect their scroll. Haha...really pity them, since they are not aware that we have 2 engineering faculties in MMU - FOE in Cyberjaya and FET in Melacca.

Finally when I'm on stage, I seemed to get nervous. Not that I tripped on stage or what, but I can sense that the photos might look fake when being developed. Shoked my hands with Tun Chancellor Siti Hasmah, and she gave me a solid "Congratulations" and I return her a confident smile to show that I won't be letting her or MMU down when I'm out in the society. Then I shooked hands with my Dean, Dr Peter before going down the other way.

As I am back to my seat, my friends were asking if anyone shook hands with Dr Peter. CCW thought that he was just there to "lead the way" and hence ignored him. What a pity dear Peter... We've been friends, me and Dr Peter since the days I am the Deputy President of ENGSOC. After the ceremony, bump into him at the garden tea ceremony. I was not surprise to see him holding a D2X mounted with a Nikkor 28-70mm f2.8 lens. 3 years ago he was already holding a Fuji S2Pro, it's a wise choice for a Dean without any family commitments.

Personally I'll really like to do as he did. Driving a Kancil but yet have a whole cabinet full of AF-S lens with large apertures. Let's get back to the ceremony before I lead you to my boring photography hobby.

Prof Chuah sponsored the Garden Tea Party for everyone. He was the Top 3 student in University Malaya's entire history. He's very generous in charitible events and very supportive in student activities as well. I love the way he manages the school, but yet...both FOE and FET deans has nothing to complain about.

Managed to have a brief handshake with Dr TMLim when the VVIPs were marching out of the hall. He is also a good teacher and most importantly great friend. Eventhough he's never taught me before, but he's my academic advisor. I always visit his office for non-academic issues, which is how he manages to get me to work in Seagate as an intern last time. We also have nice chats about photography, novels and all other stuffs we have in common.

Took a few photos with all my friends outside the Convocation Hall. Missed some of my dearest friends like Marimo, Corn and Wan Ying. But yet I did met up with people I die to see since Alpha years - Lincoln, Shiau Fei, Jia Jiun, OngSM, and WeiXuan among others. As my parents doesn't buy me flowers, Josh is kind enough to give me a large bouquet of 24 flowers to photograph with my friends. Mint mui and Alex's flowers are also very much appreciated. Thanks also to ShiauFei's butterfly which I don't have any idea what it represents.

Lastly, I'll like to talk about the gem that I treasure most. If you can see from the picture, the doll might be new to most of you. You won't find it in Penang, at least not the originals. This KUMAKUMA is a gift she ask the help of her friend to get back from KL. This tortoise is a representation of me...being slow and steady, but eventually can get to graduate with an honours. Gifts like this are very meaningful to me, I love gifts which have meaningful, not certainly expensive.

The best gift would be the photos that she took for me. Thanks a lot Irene...for all the pictures you took, the heavy baby that you need to carry up and around the highlands, leave that you need to sacrifice and also the patience you have on the childish side of me. I love you *Muacks*

As we all need to work the following Monday. I have to rush back, missing the chance to talk with some of my friends, really really sorry about that. Grandma treat us to a seafood dinner at Bukit Kawan. By the time we reached home, it's already 9pm. After unloading all the things we bought in Ikea, I'm already so tired I head for bed straight away.

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Fact: The wife of a "Datuk" is called "Datin"
Question: What do you call the wife of a "Tun" ???

Labels: Myself

Bukit Tinggi here we come!!! Yes, it's the 3rd time I'm up there. FYI, I'm not even close to being tired/bored going up there as compared with Genting Highlands nearby.

My parents suggested to go there as they haven't been there for quite some years now. For me, it's a great place to take some memorable photos as compared with the dull architectures in MMU, Melaka. Irene on the other hand, have the chance to play with the camera all day. It's the first time that I let her have full control of the camera without much complains, and she actually controls the camera well after warm up. Yup! taking pictures needs warm up as well...even for me.

Spent quite a lot of time at Colmar (French Castle) where we had a light breakfast in their bakery. After that visit the Japanese Tea House for more pictures. Last stop is the Rabbit's Farm where I taught my younger sister (who is in BioTech btw...) how to hold a rabbit. There's some problem with these bio students...whenever she touched an animal, she'll think about it's internal organs. How...%^&*( is that???

Dad's always in a hurry, but luckily I did get home with around 120 shots before filtering. Will try to post up some this weekend (no promises). And we're shopping at Damansara Utama for the rest of the day.

Dad's very ambitious and is very excited when he went into IKEA, he stoped by and sat on every single chair in the shop before proceeding to the canteen. We spent too much time there and end up didn't have time to visit Ikano and the Curve. Felt very sorry that I can't bring them to the Manhattan's Fishmarket to feast. Dad love varieties and that's the one place I know with the most variety of food.

Better sleep well, havta wake up at 5am for tomorrow's convo...

Labels: Myself

The last ceremony I've to go throught before officially known as a graduate. I've made it mom, dad, qi and all my friends who cared. Not that I'm the son of "a fishmonger and a housewife", but at least I managed to get through all those tough papers and get laid (on a job).

My parents and Irene took a day off so that we can drive down to Cyberjaya on Friday to collect my robe. Enough complains about the robe thingy, as we adjourned to PJ to meet my younger sister. On they way, went to look for Nikon's Service Center as I need to get my camera cleaned before the convocation. Tried to mess around with the camera which ends up with more problem. Finally managed to find the PKNS building in the new PJ town center. Dad's a bit furious about god-knows-what, but that's something unavoidable in my family.

Meet up with my grand-aunt and my sis who is living together, and went to the photo studio to take some shots. The shop is only using a D70, and yet, I paid for the lightings, backdrop and also the printings. He's quite good at it, at least from the way he controls the lightings... too bad he doesn't have much customers in an isolated shophouse. Will post up the photos once my dad collect for me.

Slept over at my dad's sister's place. Nothing much to mentioned there though...

Labels: Myself

I wish: -

1. To meet all my friends who I've learned to loved throughout the 5 years in university
2. To have my family by my side to congratulate me
3. To receive gifts (eventhough I haven't prepared any to give away :P)

Gifts that I'll love to have...

- Photography books, travel books with lots of pictures, and more and more books of photos of various nature.

- D200 with a 18-200mm VR lens??? Hm...that'll havta wait :(

CC: Mr Manager, Mr Sr Engineer...

Location: Hueng's Room

Problem: Fan not working, found some sparking sound on the voltage regulator

Action Taken:
- Swap regulator with another room -> Still not working
- Spin the fan's flipper's manually
- Operational

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Damn that old man!!! Buy all those cheapo stuffs to build his house... never did he consider about the problems that he have to face for the next 20 years.

Lesson learn: Be confident and understand everything that you buy, use and keep.

Working live is really stressful. Usually after I reach home, take my dinner, and browse the net, it’s already past midnight. No more time for me to join forums, blog or edit my pictures. Apologies dear readers, Bon Odori and Fraser Hill’s story will come up earliest this Thursday night.

Not only I don’t have time for my hobbies, even the necessities are all neglected. I have been talking about having my hair cut for a fortnight, only today I can excuse myself from work early ( i.e. on time) so that I can have a nice hair cut.

No regrets at all patroning the same saloon I tried 6 weeks ago. There were no customers there (I like) hence no waiting required. Spent some extra money for a hair wash, which was quite good I shall say. Usually the massage session which comes along with the washing would be about 5 minutes. As he don’t have any other customers, he massaged for me like 30 minutes. I like the way he touched me (so gay~ haha). After the hair cut and wash, I totally feel like a new person.

It’s really worth every single Ringgit I spent there IMHO as if I would’ve gone to a massage parlor; I don’t think RM50 is enough for a 30 minutes session. And even that, I’ll need to pay extra money to get my hair cut. I believe his work is much better than my friend who is a working hair stylist. Anyway, for those of you who are staying near Bayan Lepas area, maybe you can try it out…it’s a shop house in Sg. Ara which I can’t remember the name. Contact me for more details.

Note: Purely my opinion, the company doesn’t pay me for advertisement.