Editing Photographs can be very FUN!

Hey, have you ever playing COLOR in a photo. I guess many people just downloaded their photographs for viewing and then just keep them in their computer hard disk (or even in camera memory card). Some will post photographs in some social online photo album network such as facebook, flickr, picasa and many more, for sharing. A friend David, recommended me a photo editing software, it is a freeware (which mean you do not need to pay money). After downloaded the software, I found it is  very users friendly and  photograph editing no longer a difficult task. I started testing on the color function, brightness, contrast etc.... and "Da! Da!" It turned out to be very FUN!! 

You may check out the following photographs ... you may said "Wow"

This is an original copy taken by a phone camera:-

 The blue background really made the red light lantern eye catching.

What a contrast!!? the green and red are crashed but it gives stunning effect.

I like the sepia effect because it helps me seeing thing in a different manner.

The original photo was taken by a Nokia Xpress phone, therefore, you can see that the original copy is not really fantastic. But after I'm using the software editing tools, it became more beautiful. 

Photograph editing can be fun, if you want try and download the same software, you may click at the following connection - www.faststone.org

Beauty of Nature

In KL, Butterfly Park is one of the place to get closer to the nature ....

I like green landscape inside the Park because it gives the feeling of calm and peace. Especially green plants are glowing everywhere. The refreshing water flowing from the waterfall turned the environment even better. It chase away all the heat of the whole day.

Harmony surrounding, the tone and contrast of light and shadow have made the photo beautiful..... I am feeling that I am in the midst of the rain forest.

I started loving photography because it captures the beauty of our surrounding, through the simple camera lens, it helps us seeing things that we neglected, things that we gives a blind eyes, things that are so beautiful that magnifying the awesome of the Father God - The Creator.

There are many beautiful creatures flying around - butterfly 

 

It is really joyful to admire the all these beautiful butterfly and flowers. We all have the duty to protect and preserve the beauty of our mother nature.  

Therefore, please don't simply throw rubbish, learn to recycle all the waste. Although some people may think it is a small thing, but over period of time, your small actions can become a great impact to our Earth. Therefore, protect the Earth so that the beauty of the nature can be preserved with love and care.

My first outing to snap photographs

Finally, I made up my mind to go Lake Garden this Morning. Later I found out the place is called Taman Tasik Perdana.  The purpose of the trip is to explore my new toy - Olympus E-PL1 and I also need to submit a photo to David, trainer for professional photography, for review. This is home work after I attended his training session.

TTP is a beautiful place, you can find a butterfly park, bird park, orchid garden and many more places there. Due to time constrain, I managed to cover two places only - Butterfly park and orchid garden.

I was con at the entrance to the butterfly park, the signboard stated adult entrance fee is RM18.00, I asked the lady whether Malaysian entitle for cheaper rate, but she did not answer me. So I bought entrance ticket of RM18.00. However, upon exit to the place, I over heard the tax driver telling other passengers that RM8.00 for mykad holders .....

Nevertheless, it does not spoil my mood ... I am busy learning photographing, although the park is not fantastic and the orchid garden has a few orchids, I think the number of butterfly is much lesser than the Penang one. But the fun of using my new camera and the fun of testing every shots, are enough to make me enjoy myself.

I have taken almost 500 pictures, until my batteries went flat. Anyway, as a first timer, it is satisfy by looking at the photos. I have shortlisted 80 photos to share with you.... I hope you like it.

I meet this little girl, butterfly flew to her shirt ... so cute.

Click at the picture and it links to my flicker photo album.

My first Olympus Traning Workshop

This is my first time learning professional photography. Thank to my mentor and trainer, David Chua, he had given many inspirations and knowhows. Now, at least I am understand what is speed, aperture and ISO. I am eager now to test on my camera.

Below is the photographs that I took after the training session. Look, see how serious David is in sharing his personal experience and knowledge with other students.

 Click here to see more photos

My New Toy - Olympus E-PL1

All these years, I'm using Olympus compact digital cameras. Despite many times I changed camera; I stick back to Point-n-shoot camera because it is rather convenient and hassle free to operate.
 
Lately, I admire many nice photographs on the internet posts. Those photographs are so beautiful. No matter how I tried using my existing camera, I couldn't get the same result. So, I decided to "indulge" myself with a  better and more expensive camera - DSLR camera.

But again, there are so many DSLR branded cameras in town, such as Nikon, Canon, Sony etc . Which one is suitable? I’m searching around for a while, I meet many promoters but they are either impatient or lack of knowledge about the camera, I ended up with disappointment.

This is the lady promoter that I mentioned in my blog

Only recently, I met a lady promoter who is selling Olympus and she managed to explain the functions of the camera clearly. At the end of the presentation, I already know almost 80% of the camera. She is not just keen in selling the camera, but she was rather patience to teach me how to use the camera. I was glad of her service and bought the Olympus E-PL1. 

Although it is not a full DSLR version, it is something in between of DSLR and Point-n-shot camera. It is new hybrid camera that has Micro Four Thirds with mirrorless interchangeable lens. It produces quality pictures comparable to some of the expensive DSLR camera. But most important, is the service level that influence me to purchase it.

Yesterday’s night, I attended to photograph training session organized by Olympus and glad to meet up with the trainer - David Chua, a renowned professional photographer.  Although within short time of two and half hours session, he taught me quit a bit about professional photography. I realized it is not easy and quite techniques to shoot a nice photo. I appreciate his help and I added him to my facebook. I hope I learn more from him in the future.

Wow, can’t wait to try some of his ideas in photo shooting, will share with you in my future blog.

A friend was robbed last thursday

Kuala Lumpur crime level is getting bad to worse. Despite the authority claimed crime rates are under control and bla bla bla .... but the incident that happen to my friend tell us the true fact about the crime level in the city. I enclosed the email for your attention and please be aware, robbers nowadays are getting daring and fearless, at the broad daylight do such an act ....


----- Original Message -----

From: Celine
To: Undisclosed
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2010 12:32 PM
Subject: MUST READ - I was robbed last thursday

Hi, if you are receiving this email, it means you are a good friend and i have something IMPORTANT to tell you.

If you haven't seen my facebook, i was robbed last Thursday at the traffic lights in Section 17. Long story, short story, my car window was smashed and my Prada and Dior and handphone taken. I gave chase. I still feel traumatised till today. Trinkets can be replaced but confidence and security is a different matter.

As i was retelling the tale last night at Green View Restaurant in SS2 yesterday, a lady who was smoking outside got robbed of her bag too.

On the same day i got robbed, another acquaintance got kidnapped outside her house. She was forced to reenter her Myvi. Her bag was given to an accomplice in another car. They drove her to a very secluded area behind Bank Negara. She begged to be let go and when her driver agreed, the accomplice car came beside her car door to block her from coming out. He said she has seen their faces and cannot be let go. So they continued to drive and her robber got a bit scared i think as he was very young, decided to let her go and ask her to run for her life. She hid in the bushes for an hour till the sun came out.

So my dear friends, please spread the word around and do something about your safety. I am gonna be very vocal about this to whoever i meet. The police wont do anything. I have a few suggestions:

1. Keep your handbag small so that you can slit it under your seat or in the dashboard.

2. Drive a car higher than a motorbike ie Hummer, Triton, etc

3. Do not stand outside for a smoke – time to quit smoking ladies.

4. Be careful when entering your house or exiting. Who you think is your neighbour's bf could be the next robber/kidnapper.

5. Lastly, do not chase your robber. They might intentionally take you to a small street where an accomplice is ready to rob/kidnap/rape/kill you.

I REALLY MEAN THIS and everytime i see you, i will ask you about your handbag. Please note and take care.

Celine Chan
Director
Eclipse Comm Sdn Bhd - Advertising & Design
L5.10 Wisma BU8,
11 Lebuh Bandar Utama, Bandar Utama,
47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
http://www.eclipsecommm.net/

Distance between Cities in Taiwan

As a foreigner, I do not know how far a distance from one destination to another destination in Taiwan. When I travel, it is important to know because I don't want to waste too much time on the road, Thank to Google map, my problem has resolved. I'm roughly know the distance and the direction of location where I am heading to. It saves time and able to plan my Taiwan trip more effectively.

From Taoyuan to Taipei City - 48 km (59 minutes)
From Taipei to Keelung - 34.4 km (45 minutes)
From Taipei to Yang Ming Sang - 21.6 km (53 minutes)
From Taipei to Yilan - 52.9 km (1 hour 17 minutes)
From Taipei to Hsinchu - 79.3 km (1 hour 27 minutes)

The above destinations are places that I will visit in my next trip to Taiwan.

My DIY Trip to Taiwan

I'm planning a trip to Taiwan next year. I am not follow any tour packages and is a DIY trip which I need to plan from zero. I'm looking into every single detail itinerary so that family and friends would have a wonderful trip. I need to do more researches about Taiwan, especially finding place to stay and transport arrangement.

Luckily, a friend recommended a Taiwan friend, Mark who provides chauffeur service in Taiwan. Thru his recommendation, we booked a spacious 3 bedroom apartment in Taipei which only cost NT14,000 for 5 days.

In addition, Mark quoted me with a reasonable rate for bringing us around in Taipei and the surrounding places. He provided a few options to me and I decided the following plan:-

Day 1 : PM3:00 Departure from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei 離開機場往台北 -> PM4:00 Check in to Apartment 抵達住宿處 -> PM5:00 出門逛街 Visit Taipei 101 and Night Market（101大樓 ; 通化街夜市）-> PM11:00 Return 接回住宿處

Day 2 : AM8:00 永和豆漿 創始店 Having breakfast（早餐）-> AM9:30 中正紀念堂 Visit National Chiang Kai-Sek Memorial Hall -> 高速公路 access to highway ->11:30 基隆港 Visit Kee Lung -> PM12:00 基隆廟口 Lunch at famous Kee Lung hawkers centre (Miao-kow Keelung)（午餐）-> PM2:00 野柳 Visit Ya Liu -> PM4:30 陽明山小油 坑火山地形 Visit Yang Meng Sang -> PM6:00 馬槽花 藝村晚餐＋泡溫泉 Dinner in Yang Ming Sang and enjoy a Hot SPA -> PM8:00 陽明山 花季夜間賞櫻花 Night visit to Yang Ming Sang viewing Cherry (Sakura Flower) Blossom at night ->PM9:00 士林夜市 Visit Shilin Night Market

Day 3 : AM8:00摩斯米漢堡（早餐）Having Breakfast -> AM9:30 六福村（或小人國） Visit Leofoo Theme Park / Miniature Garden -> PM1:00 離開上 高 速公路 access to Highway -> PM2:30 十三行博物館 Visit Shihsanhang Archaeological Museum -> PM5:00 八里渡船頭 （坐渡船到淡水） Arrive at Bali Ferry and take a boat ride to Danshui -> PM6:00 淡水 （晚餐淡水老街） Seeing sunset at Fisherman’s wharf / Shopping and Dinner at Danshui, -> PM11:00 回台北 Return to Taipei

Day 4 : 復興南路 清粥小菜 （早餐）Breakfast -> AM9:30 宜蘭 Visit Yilan ＋蘭陽博物館 Visit LanYang Museum -> PM2:30 出發到黃金博物館 Visit Gold Ecological Park -> PM3:30 太子賓館、黃金採礦 坑參觀 Visit Gold Mining -> PM5:30 -> 九份老街 Visit Jiufen -> PM9:00 回台北逛街 Return to Taipei

Day 5 : 自由活動 Free and Easy (Travel by MRT)（故宮、 士林官邸、 西門町 (Xi Men Ting) 、 華山藝文中心、 忠孝復興站SOGO百貨、 市政府站百貨群) Will travel around Taipei by MRT / Must visit is the Floral Expo and National Museum.

Day 6 : 由活動 （市政府站百貨群： 101， 誠品， 三越， 東急） 早上送 至SOGO解散， 下午在誠品集合， 直接去機場，不回飯店拿行李 Check out and do the final round of Shopping, Go direct to Airport. Return to Malaysia.

Wow …. I feel like travel tomorrow ... can't wait until next year !!! 

Is Coffee Good or Bad to you?

I love coffee but people telling me not to drink too much because coffee bad for health. Therefore, one day, I typed in google search "Is coffee good or bad?" The result turned out surprising, our understanding about coffee is a myths. My findings are below:-

Drink at least 3 cups of coffee daily are less likely to suffer memory loss. (French study by researcher Karen Richie, of the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research).

A morning cup of coffee followed by a workout can help to fight skin cancer (Researchers at New Jarsey's Rutgers University).

Men who drink large amounts of coffee (6 cup or more) are 59 percent less likely to develop gout. (Canadian and American researchers - June 207 issues of Arthritis and Rheumatism). It could be due to coffee has strong antioxidant.

Drink at least six cups of coffee daily are less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. (researchers from University of Minnesota). Each additional cup of coffees consumed in a day may achieve 7 percent reduction in the excess risk of diabetes. Hence, if drink three to four cups a day had a 25 percent lower risk than those who do not drink coffee.

Coffee has high antioxidants that can help curb inflammation and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease (Research from the University of Oslo and the University of Minnesota). Coffee can inhibit inflammation and lower risks of cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, including arthritis.

Tomas DePaulis, PhD researcher at Vanderbilt University's Institute for Coffee Studies, said, "the studies show that coffee is far more beneficial than it is harmful.". People who drink coffee on a regular basis have up to 80% lower risks of developing Parkinson's disease. Drinking at least 2 cups per day can lead to a 25% lower risk of colon cancer, an 80% drop in the risk of liver cirrhosis and nearly 50% the risk of gallstones.

However, the articles pointed out that don't go for the commercial coffee such as Starbucks, because of high amounts of creams and sugars. People should also aware that coffee do have the side effects, when overdose, it may cause insomnia, nausea, irregular heartbeat, breathing difficulties.

In conclusion, I think every thing we consume should be in moderate form. Don't overdose ourselves even coffee has many health benefits. At least I know now I can enjoy one or two cups of Coffee a day without worry so much.

Cheer..... :)

Source :

http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/coffee.htm
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/18/earlyshow/health/main4358103.shtml
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/12/14/f-research-coffee-tea-good-for-you.html

Fun time in September 2010

It has been a while of not updating my Blog. I was busy with my company's business plan on September month. Anyway, at least now I relax a bit because I have submitted to my bosses before the deadline. Yeah Hoo. I hope not much of amendment after their review (keep the two fingers cross .....)  

It has been an exciting month (September) for me, not only I was busy preparing the 2011 business plans, I also need to organize Members Get Together for members of Legend Worldwide Holidays at The Legend Resort, Cherating. In addition, I also need to attend the Malaysian Timeshare Federation Meeting at Swiss Garden Damai Laut at Lumut. Thank God, all these things were smoothly carried out.

The Members Get Together (MGT in short) is a yearly event, although the turnouts were not very encouraging but it was fun.

My favourite part of the MGT was the telematches. It was realy fun and excited to see competitions being carried out.

Let me introduce the 3 exciting teams - The Cobra Yes, The Victor Team and The A-Team.

The A-Team

The Cobra yes

The Victor Team

This first game was Balloon Making; each team required to blow as many balloon as possible. Look at the 3 grow up kids, they looked very happy.

Many played bowling before, but have you tried coconut bowling? It is real fun and not easy to roll the ball (coconut). The rule said, the ball must be rolled from the mid field and cross the pink line. You can't throw the coconut directly, it won't be counted if you don't follow the rules. 

3rd game - Balloon race - Look at the photo, both adults and children are really having fun. Run, run  ...... but don't drop your balloon .....

.

Balloon war - This is my favourite game. Each participant tied a balloon at their leg, This is a war game whereby each participant would break others balloon by stepping on it, the last person with the balloon will be the winner. This time, I purposely divide them into three categories - The Man group, The Lady group and Children Group. It is fair isn't ....

I made sure all members got wet, so I arranged passing balloon game whereby each person would passed a balloon to the person sited behind him/her. Off course it wasn't easy because the balloons were filled with water. If you throwed too hard, "Blast", the water will splash all over your face .... hahaha.

Time to get wet, really WET. All participants required to run to the sea and get themselves wet, and then, they need to rush back to the beach and fill their bottle with the sea water squeeze from their cloths.

hahaha..... everyone get wet ..... Except me because I am the camera man mah .....ops!! watch out!! someone is throwing a water balloon to meeeeeeeee....  run, run for your life ... hahahaha LOL…. !!!

By the way, if you wish to visit this place, you may visit http://www.legendresort.com.my/ (just do some advertisement. hahaha!!)