Goal-gasm

Scoring a goal is probably the best thing you can do in football. After all, the goal of the play is to score goals ! I sometimes deliberately do an exaggerated goal celebration for the sake of fooling around with my friends.But yesterday was different. For once I really felt very, very happy and started to run and shout after scoring one.It was quite a special goal too. I used my left (weaker) foot to shoot but it was perfectly accurate. Shot with the inner foot but was still powerful enough and best of all it was almost from the corner !I was feeling as happy as I could although not in tears yet. But playing football is one of the things where I could forget about everything on earth except the game. Good way to release all the stress and tension.Any way, just glad I had one great moment before 2010 ends. Will try to write a post on 2010 and also upload my favorite photos of 2010. =)

Merry Christmas !

First of all let me wish all my Christian friends a Merry Christmas. And to everybody else, happy holiday ! hehe.

I'm heading to Langkawi tomorrow. Hoping to see some beautiful scenery, snap some nice photos, get really drunk enjoy tax-free alcohol and have a good time with friends.

I hope you'll be having a good time as well. Take some time out, go have fun with friends and family.

=)
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As for my second semester at UTAR, it ended disappointingly again. Hopes and expectations were high as there is only 2 subjects and I have a history to doing better at short semesters.

I did quite well for my first paper but a heavy reliance on tips meant that I lost a lot of marks for my second paper and now I really can't be sure whether I can pass the second paper or not.

Holiday Plan

I have quite a few plans figured out even before I actually started preparing for my finals. Hopefully I can get a better result this time round.

Any way, the plans

Langkawi-Somewhere I wanted to go for quite some time. Tax free alcohol, chocolates and tobacco(not bothered).A place where Carlsberg costs less than Coke. I'm hoping to find a bar where I can try out James Bond's favorite cocktail-Vodka Martini. Also, Vodka Red Bull, not sure if I can have both continuously but I shall see how.
Its been years since I last went for a vacation with my oldest set of friends, glad to finally have them all to join this time. Hopefully I don't get too drunk and do something stupid.

Photoshoot-*that is NOT ChocoBear btw*just one of my favorite outdoor shots.

ChocoBear has been really keen on doing this. She went on the internet to search for examples in photos and videos to tell me how she wants to look in the photos. I'm looking forward to it also, hopefully I can get some nice shots out of it. There are other appointments for portrait shooting too which is currently pending. Apart from that I'll also be attending a portrait workshop with Sony Alpha Penang in January. It is quite simply a class where they teach you how to take better portraits.

Futsal- Last semester I twisted my ankle only after 1 or 2 games. Disappointed to miss out the games I came back without a full recovery and made it worst. Still, its been about 3 months now and I consulted a specialist on my ankle. Doctor said ankle instability is minimal therefore, I'm good to play !

And the best part is that is not all ! with CNY looming near there will be some shopping as well. Hopefully everything will go according to plan for my exam and then I can enjoy the sem break to the max !

Weirdo Outside The Library

Was taking photos of UTAR's beautiful library yesterday evening and this guy walks out of the library, approached me and started to ask me some questions.

Guy: Excuse me, are you from the photography club?
me : No, I'm not.
Guy: what's with the camera?
me : Its MINE ! *thinking he is some kind of undercover, double 'O' standard security guard.
Guy: Okay. What is your purpose of taking the photo?
me : self interest.
Guy: ...... Is there a photography competition?
me : I don't know. (wishing that there is one, is asked him back) IS THERE ANY?
Guy: No. *silent for 5 seconds and stares at me*
me : why?
Guy: I joined the photography club and I haven't had a word from them.
me : oh okay.
Guy: *starts to feel annoyed for some reason* that is why I asked you !
me : oh. hey, its cool ! Its alright man.
Guy: *shows a TULAN face*, walks away and starts whispering by himself.
me : *you better not be talking crap about me you Chinese-killing Jap communist looking bloke*
Yeah, it happened exactly like that. It would have been just another conversation if it wasn't for his unusual perceptions about people with DSLRs.

He probably thinks ONLY photography club members gets to hold those cameras.
Or maybe the cameras are rented from the University. hmm...

Weirdo.

what would you do if you were approached by somebody like this? tell me.

Jogoya. The Most Expensive Meal Of My Life

By most expensive I mean RM101. RM88 bucks plus tax. That is how expensive that meal was. It costs about twice as a meal at TAO, so it better be twice as good. And you know what, its NOT.

It has a mix of Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and many other variety local or foreign. So option is what you have but in my opinion, too many. There is just too much to try and while most of them are good, its not all.

Even the drinks are available in many types. Chinese tea, wine, mix liquor, coffee, etc. You can't actually drink and enjoy all of those can you? I tasted all of it for the sake of trying it.But despite all that, the great thing about Jogoya I would say is that it has many expensive brands all under one roof and with one price. Haagendazs ice cream for example. In stead of paying 20 bucks scoop by scoop you can have as much as you like all for RM101.

Good idea but it doesn't appeal to everybody.

As for the service, I think it is pretty good. a 7.5/10 rating I say.

To sum it up, I say it felt a bit like committing suicide. You tear your pocket to get into that place and then you tear your stomach by eating all you can.

No doubt I enjoyed myself there with the company of my buddies but in the end of the day, I think I rather go to TAO.

Dreams Come True . . .

I enjoyed my birthday last month. Lots of my friends' birthday was also in October or maybe it was me who is paying extra attention to those celebrating in the same month as me.

Many people wished me through calls,sms and mainly facebook. And I did the same when others are celebrating theirs. Ok, fine. Fair enough.

So here's the thing about birthday wishes. Is it right to say 'may your dreams come true?' even if there is nothing wrong, is it proper?

I mean, let's be honest, we all want about good dreams or ambitions to come true but dreams, aren't always good,are they? When a good dream comes true like you being a champion or married your dream husband then yes, DREAM COME TRUE.

But what if nightmares happen? Like you score an own goal or fail in an exam for example? In a way it is still DREAM COME TRUE right? A bad one.

Would it be best if everybody just say 'May Your Wishes Come True' instead? Nobody would wish for bad things to happen on them right?

'Happy Birthday, May your dreams come true', is it not quite suitable? or it is perfectly fine?

Mean Machines 2010

The largest performance motorsports exhibition in Malaysia. Which means it doesn't get any bigger than that in Malaysia. I had to be there and I did. Its been great fun photographing the event. I just wished I could have spent more time there.

From the cars to the models, from showgirls to the Miss Mean Machines contestants, I uploaded almost 200 photos in my facebook page.

Its quite tiring because of the weight of my equipment and mainly having to squeeze among the photographers under the hot sun. But still I was great fun to me.


It gives me great pleasure with people clicking 'like' on my photos. Some of the contestants used my photos to post up in their own page. There is one who set it as her profile picture.

The response has been very encouraging. Although I am limited to a single lens for now but still I think there is room for improvement. =)

So here are some of my favorite shots.
cars with doors that open upwards.big bikes. the newly launched Lotus Evora !One of the prettiest showgirl/model at the event. The most LIKED photo in my album. 12 as of now. A record. Cecilia. One of my favorite contestants.This one LOOKS the youngest.Peggy. Also one of my favorite.That is the winner and 2 runners up. Congratulations !

22nd Birthday, Exam Result

Didn't throw a party because I didn't really achieve much of the things I was aiming for for. But still this year it is a bit special. The long list of people who wished me on facebook, I would like to say thank you to all of you again. I actually replied all of it.This year it is also kind of a 2 day celebration. Similar to last year. I went for a movie at noon, then dinner with friends the day before.

And then on the day itself I bought something I've been wanting for a long time. Went for lunch with my parents. They also bought me a nice birthday cake. I thanked my parents for looking after me all these years and also a special thank you to my mother who gone through that painful experience of giving birth to me 22years ago.After we're done with the cake, I went for dinner and a drink with a few of my friends. I didn't really plan a thing this year so I'm expecting much. But still it has been a special one. Now that I'm officially 22, I think its time for me to work hard for the future. There are always room for improvement and I want to be better in everything I do.

A better student, a better photographer, a better son, better person, etcAgain, I would like to thank everybody who wished me birthday.
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First semester result is poor. So bad it is actually the worst result I've ever got. Seriously. I kind of messed it up at TARC, but now its worse.

I'm not going to whine about UTAR or do something stupid for this. Its just a mistake, a lesson I should learn from.

There are lots of things about myself I have to change. And unless I change for the better, things aren't going to improve at all. So, gotta CHANGE.My habits, my methods, my work rate, etc

I Got A Problem Without Its Solution

The current relationship between me and my dad isn't good at all.
This blog is sometimes a place for me to let it out when I'm not happy with certain things and as for this issue, its not the first time.

I remember last time it was fine. But now that I've grown up and he is getting a bit older, things have changed. In a bad way.

We can have arguments every single day. There are lots and lots of things we disagree mainly how each other thinks. I don't know where it all started to go wrong. As far as I want to listen to my own biological father who brought me up, he lost the credibility in me.

I heard about a few complains about me raising my voice over petty issues and being rebellious. Yes, he is my dad and he forever will but these wrong actions reflect just how frustrated I am at times.

I'm not just frustrated about what happens outside but also towards him. Talking to him is like talking to a deaf man. And when I point out where he is doing things wrongly he does the same thing back to me. He will mention about me failing exam and stuff.

And to make matters worse, when he started finding fault first, I'll do the same back to him. Things can get ugly. One father and son conversation could turn into some kind of EPL derby. We take turns to point finger at each other so often it almost defined the word 'counter-attack'.

Some have told to be have patience when dealing with an elder person but I really don't know how to do so.

I hate to make my parents upset. I really don't like any bit of it. What goes around comes around. I thought about it and I don't want my children to be doing this to me next time.

Seriously, I don't see an end to this issue as for now. Because I really don't know how to solve this. I am trying to control my emotions and I think I managed to do that but its not enough. I even had thoughts about moving out.

HELP?

I'm Gonna Miss You

It is a sad thing that you have to leave. But then I guess you'll be happier over there.


Its difficult for me to not to fall in with you. No matter how hard my day is I just have to look at you and I will feel happy. You never failed to make me smile, make me laugh.


You have some kind of miracle that cheers me up every time when I'm down, and accompany me every time when I'm alone.


I really wish you could stay but you had to leave. I hope you will enjoy your life there.


I had some good times with you and I wish I could tell you how much I appreciated it.


I will be missing you my little friend...












Take care, Flintstone.

What on earth were you thinking huh,blog reader ???

He is just so lovable and adorable. Initially when I saw him he was full of hair.Then the hair grew so long he looked, COOL ! A bit like Sean Connery in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

And then after his haircut he looked really silly and FUNNY ! I mean...And that look on his face, cheers me up all the time.

Despite looking silly, he actually knows how to DEMAND for a massage. Like this !By showing off his MANHOOD.

And sometimes you can't help thinking, he is just like a baby ! Look at that ! like a baby in mother's womb.

He is also quite human as well. He snores a lot at night and he rolls his eyes and move his legs when he is dreaming. Cute little dog.

Maybe one day I'll have a dog of my own. But not now obviously.

Frustrating First Semester At UTAR

Was having doubts about coming to university due to a few reasons. I wasn't sure if my family are capable and more importantly, I wasn't sure I wanted to pursue a degree.

Finally I made the decision to further my studies at UTAR Kampar and for once, do well in my studies.

14 study weeks have passed and I'm left with more questions than answers. How do I study this subject ? Why I just won't understand this ? How did they do so well ? Where have all my time gone ? Why am I not happy here ? and it goes on. . .

To sum it up I would say - Environment changed. I did not.

I mean...
>>The marking scheme - 40%coursework + 60%final exam instead of the old 20-80. Got to emphasize more on assignments and mid-term tests or else you have a hell lot to do.

>>The difficulty - Diploma to Degree. Of course it is more difficult. So the same amount of effort, same methods aren't going to work. Need to find the right method for the right subject. I didn't and got quite frustrated at times.

>>The notes - unlike in diploma where the printed books are very much complete text books, here its just a summary of the book in Power Point slides and in certain subjects, aren't enough.

>>The campus - Its HUGE. And that is not good at all. I didn't get a parking sticker which means I have to walk about 10 mins from the gate. And parking is a bit of a trouble even for bikes.

>>The weather - Its very warm. That makes the walking inside the campus quite unpleasant.Attending classes then is a bit discouraging. Hopefully I'll be get a parking sticker next semester.

>>The girls - OH MAN ! it is impossible to concentrate in lecture i tell you...

>>The flexi intake - In certain classes you barely have time to start a conversation with the person next to you. Unless its a subject that requires a group assignment, you can't really meet much people.

Still I don't blame these external factors for the terrible result that awaits. I just want to say sorry to those who have supported and put in hope for me to do well.

And I also promise you all and to myself that I will not let this happen again. I will do better.

I guess holiday plans have to called off. Lost the mood for it.

Grown Up Boys

Recently I had a conversation with my buddy about some of our friends. Talking about now that everybody has grown up and how things have changed ever since. Suddenly he mentioned something that came to me as a surprise.

One of my friend was told to get married after graduation. Sounds funny at first but it got me thinking.

I'm 22 this year, will graduate at 24. Some say, it is best for guys to have kids around his late 20s or early 30s for 2 reasons.

1. To have some time to build up his career and financial stability.(Some people has got cameras to invest in)
2. For the good of the next generation. Better let them find the ovum while they are still strong.

This theory makes sense only to certain people but if its true, me and my friends (of the same age) don't have a lot of time left. Assuming we graduate and start working at 24, there is only another 4 to 5 years left to build up a career and save enough money.And that I'm afraid, isn't lot of time.

As for me its not necessary to get married at that age so I can just ignore all that. But looking at the age gap of me and my dad, its 3 rounds at the lunar calender = 36 years. And for some reason, I don't like the gap at all. Its not just career obstacles that will make things harder. Finding a compatible mate might also take some time.

Time doesn't pause to wait for any one. You will be getting older day after day.

It always good to have some long-term plans. Gives you as sense of direction instead of just being a boat roaming round the ocean.

As for now, I got to make sure I don't delay my graduation. Think I just screwed up one of my papers but I can make up for it.

STUDY >>> EXAM >>> HOLIDAY

13/9 Management Principle 9am
14/9 Advertising and Promotion 9am
15/9 Quantitative Technique II 2pm
18/9 Corporate and Business Law 2pm
24/9 Business Finance 9am

That is my exam timetable for this semester. Its very good. Except the 3-paper-in-3-days arrangement.

Subjects that concerns me the most (due to my terrible coursework marks) are QT,CBL and BF.

9days left to the exam. Hopefully I can make good use of this time, do well in exam. Walk out of the hall knowing I passed and enjoy my semester break. (which I haven't plan).

For the 3 weeks break, I do have a few holiday ideas to consider.

1. Langkawi. The island with the biggest eagle in the world is tax-free and therefore, heaven for smokers and drinkers which I'm not. But still, since its tax-free and mineral water costing more than beer,I might as well try out some expensive liquors that cost ridiculously elsewhere.2. Batu Ferringghi. Rent a chalet right next to the beach and do whatever I want there. I can jog,swim, or just lie on the beach doing nothing. Plus, having seen the smiles on the people who played the water sport there, I think I want to give it a try !3. Genting. Somewhere I haven't been for years. I saw some photos of my friends going there and I think it would be a great place for photography. I also want to step foot in the world famous casinos. And I really missed those thrilling roller coaster rides. Especially SpaceShots that lifts your butt off the seat when it does a vertical dive.4.Your suggestion. The numbers have no ranking arrangements. I haven't decided yet and if you do have an interesting suggestion, it might just be my number1 choice of holiday. :-)

But before all that, I got to make sure I pass all my subjects 1st. As for now, GOOD NIGHT !!!

KL PC Fair (August 2010)

A lot of people asked me if they are actually selling computers or something else. They do sell computers and lots of other related things. Accessories, games, anti-virus, etc. They just do things a little different from other PC Fairs that we know. And the one in KL certainly attracts quite a lot of attention.
I'm going to be very honest here. My intention was to experience how is it like to be photographing at KL's PC Fair. Seriously, it is a good place to learn how to get your portrait shots right and those models there, they know how to make it easy for you.
And its not just me who is there for photography, there are hundreds of them. Some with really expensive equipment that I can only dream of. Any way, having gone through my 1st ever PC Fair photo shoot which I'm quite pleased with the result, I am already looking forward for the next one in about 4 months time.To me, it is literally a R&D. I looked back at those photos and found room to improve those shots. Its just part of a life-long learning.These are some of my favorite shots. The response that I've got from facebook and my friends have been quite encouraging. So I'll continue to work on it.