Visit FRIM - Forest Research Institute Malaysia

Weekend after weekend, I have been tied up with many works and appointments. I missed many T.T outings (photo shooting outing) with my friends. Seeing all those nice photographs from my friends at facebook or flickr … mentally “beh tahan” (cannot stand it) already, I scream to myself … I WANT TO TAKE PHOTO …. AH~~~!!!!

(BTW, just realize photography can be addicted … emmmmmm??? But I think is a good and healthy addiction-lah, .. hehehehe)

Therefore, I drove to FRIM (Forest Research Institute Malaysia) last Sunday for some photo shootings. My secondary school is located next to FRIM. I am familiar to this place. But I think I have almost 20 over years not set foot there, there are many changes …. One BAD change I observed is the collection of entrance fee.. ah yoi .. So MONEY MINDED meh!!?

FRIM is a leading institution in tropical forestry research in Malaysia. It is located at Bukit Lagong Forest near Kepong which has about 486-ha of land, about 16km northwest of Kuala Lumpur.

This place is more than just a research institute, it has many recreation facilities for public and also tourists. You may find a community hall that allows people playing badminton and squash. This place is famous for joggers, it has jogging track that passing thru forest, I think is very interesting. You may also find a big football field there.

FRIM is very beautiful, it surrounded with nature. Based on their website, they have approximately 200,000 specimens. You may also find a canopy walk that built 30 meter above ground level and is 200 meter long. Thru the canopy, you are walking from one tree to another, if you don’t afraid of height, I think you would enjoy it. Unfortunately, I did not try because out of operating hours. Maybe next time …

Nevertheless, I walked to the nature trail which leads to the waterfall. This place is beautiful too, I love seeing all those giant trees. The waterfall up there is just fantastic. This place is suitable for family picnic or outing.

Let me share with you some photos that I took in FRIM…

Beside taking photo of trees, leaves and flowers only .... I took portrait shots too especially photo of people enjoy the waterfall .... 

By the way, I meet someone having photo shooting and happen to have a model ... not sure whether is his girlfriend or someone ... I did not k-poh but my usual style, curi-curi take lah ... Not bad lah, I think, some of the photo turned out nice ... Let me share with you ...



I also meet some teenagers who are very sporting ... I took some of their picture including some jump shots. Although the photo is not sharp but it was fun looking at it.

hahaha .. I am happy after a good photo TT .... now, I am satisfied ....

Malaysia is Ninth Friendliest in the World

Today's News at the STAR (16 April 2011) : MALAYSIA IS NINTH FRIENDLIEST

Wow, impressive yeah !? We ranked number 9 on the top ten of the friendliest countries in the world … Yes, I mean the World! Neither region nor continent. The result was based on the survey done by HSBC over 4,000 people from more than 100 countries between April and June 2010.

We are so proud leh after all the nine countries that in the list are non-Asia countries. We are just behind countries of Canada, Bermuda, South Africa, United States, Australia, Spain, France and Britain …. The 10th is Germany.

For me, I do agreed Malaysian generally are friendly people except some small group people (especially those "ada duit" one) would show their nose pointing to the sky, eyes ball stuck at the forehead and with two big holes facing your face that you are so disgusted with the amount of hairs that make you feel like vomiting all food that you ate yesterday … LOL .. hehehe, a bit overly exaggerated.

After I picked up the hobby of street photography, meaning walking around the streets in Kuala Lumpur to capture photos of people and the surrounding, I meet many people from all walks of life. As a street photographer, our skin need to be "ticked" as elephant skin because you are taking photo at people that you don't know. You would never know after the "click" sound, will you get scolded by the person …. #$%^&#@@!!?

hahah… I bet all street photographers would experience this. If you haven't experience this before but you said you have done street photography, I doubt your "qualification" or you are just a liar, self denier or maybe dumb-dumb enough of not noticing people scolding you … hehehehe

Anyway, that category of people belongs to a small group only. I meet many people who are very friendly while I take their photo. When I smile at them and they will smile back to you.

I used to went out with my friends for photowalk, we love walking on the street especially places like Chow Kit, Petaling Street, Batu Road, Pudu and such. Many people won't mind us taking their photos, some even friendly enough to chat with us or even pose for us with a big smile.

Let check out some street photos that I took during my photowalk, they're showing us what is friendly is all about. It was a wonderful time to associate with them. Chat with them and make friends with them.

Yes, thank to those people, they are part of the contribution factor that made Malaysia a better place to live and also made Malaysia the ninth friendliest in the World.

Brovo, Malaysian …

Yeow and his Leica M6, the virgin apperance

The other day I blog about I’m going for a Yam Char time with a few friends from PEN LOVERS group…

Well, just want to let you know I have a wonderful time with these big boys (I don’t like to call them man because it sound so old … LOL), after all most of them are still young, some not even married … I like to hang out with them because at least I would feel a bit younger when stay longer with them…. hahaha..

We stayed up to 1 am at the morning before we departed.

“Walaua, so much to talk meh?”

You might think only girls would have a lot to gossip, right? Hehehe, but I think guys too, as long as they have common topic …

What else is our common topic? Off course camera loh

We are a group of photography enthusiast, in most gathering, we usually non-stop talking about photography, sharing notes or k-poh this or that about lenses …

That night, all of us are very high, because we all got arouse by Yeow’s virgin appearance ….

Ops, sorry, hehehehe … No Yeow virgin appearance but rather his newly bought “LEICA M6” virgin appearance!!

As a newbee in photography, for me a Leica or Laila is not much the different … hahaha. I think some of my friends read this blog would vomit blood and knock my head, LOL. Anyway, according to my friends, Leica is like a Roll-Royce among all the cars. Wow, sound big hor. So, later I Google in the internet and found out that Leica is the only film camera that is still in production since 1950s. It is rangefinder camera that the focus using dual-image range finding devise (sound technical… hor hor hor) and it is Germany technology which produce very sharp images. Until today, it is still popular in demand (which mean value never drop but increase) and always be the most expensive camera.

After reading a few blogs that talked about this…. I think all the Leica owners are very proud to have a unit ….

Not excluding our super friendly Yeow, he is damned high on that night after he showing us his new wife … the Leica M6 …. if you don’t believe, let check out some of the photo as below…

Look at this beauty ...

Look how happy Yeow is ......

I think he is unable to sleep liau ... keep telling people what he got..

Other buddies also got excited liau ... the Leica becoming the center of attraction.

Click Clark ... Click Clark ~ ~

Camera War - Germany vs Japanese .... (Rangefinders vs PEN Micro 4/3)

So, I think Yeow cannot sleep tonight because he is going to think of TT (photowalk) session tomorrow. Hope he can enjoy himself with his new wify .... and make many babies .. ops! I mean take many photos... 

As for me, I am going to work work work tomorrow ... :( 

Even after work, I have to attend another meeting at church ..... :(


Hor ! ..... my life isn't mine entirely ... >_

Are you a deceitful person ?

Today, after reading today’s newspaper on the RPK’s news. I google the word “deceive” and it turnout to be the following:-

1. (of a person) Cause (someone) to believe something that is not true, typically in order to gain some personal advantage.

2. (of a thing) Give a mistaken impression: "the area may seem to offer nothing of interest, but don't be deceived".

Isn’t life sometime full of deceitful, it made people don’t know what to believe and who to believe. Especially in today’s political rim in Malaysia. I think only God know.

Recently, I have the opportunity to chat with some ex-politicians friends, why ex ? It is because they were one point of time actively involving in politics but now they are less involvement (I means less and not totally out) because of certain reasons. Anyway, it was fun listening about the politic gossips, dirty tactics to win elections and such... I truly enjoy the conversation. I think we all have the in-build K-poh (gossip) attitude, look like I can't be spared too … hahaha.

Toward the end, after we departed, I reflect by myself … I suddenly feeling very creepy… LOL, yes that the true feeling at the point of time.

You may k-poh what is it ? Well, some gossips are meant to be quietly chat during Yam Char time and not suppose to be openly blog about (hahaha … don’t ask me!)

Anyway, back to my feeling, I was saddened about my beloved Malaysia, comparing to Singapore, we have far better natural resources than the tinny spot, but why our economy and many things are far behind? News about corruption involving billion and billion of money has yet to be answered!!? News about the sex scandal and many more!! As if we all trapped in a Time Zone that we cannot progresssssss….

God commands His people to be righteousness because only the righteous one can enter into the kingdom of God. Am I? I reflect …. I admit I am a deceiving person, a sinner … Jesus die for us because he wanted to redeem all of us from our sins … I truly honor HIS Greatness.

I end this with a heavy heart ……

Yam Char De-stress Therapy-loh

I don't think anyone can live alone, beside family members, we need friends ... The best thing is to have friends that share common interest and can enjoy each other company ... has same common topic to chat about .. no obligation thingi like office colleagues ... Sometime, do things that is out of the normal or usual routine..... Can do some crazy stuffs once in a while .. hehehehe ....

Life can be simple and easily contented ... just call up a few friends and go "Yam Char". (It means "drinking" but not refering to alcohor but more like having tea / coffee with friends).

Well, after a few days of bad news bombarded. Today, I'm going to forget about it because I have called a few of my friends from "Pen Lovers" group for Yam Char ...

These are a bunch of boys (got girls juga but mostly boys lah) who love photography so much and all owned an Olympus Pen camera .... We used to have "TT (Teh-tarik Session)", a form of group photowalk outing to capture anything that catches our eyes, then we share and comment each other photos in facebook ...

.... so, who said life must be complicated and lonely.

.... If you are lonely, go and buy an Olympus Pen Camera EPL-2 and join us.

.... Emmmm...

.... Wonder would I get commission from Olympus since I so hard sell their cameras ... wakakakak.

Hahahaha ....

Shimen Wedding Plaza at Taiwan

Hey, while we are traveling using the Northern West link road between Jiufen and Dhangsui, Mark stopped over a place called Shimen Wedding Plaza. This place is famous for the locals to have their outdoor wedding photo session. We are impressed with the set up by the authority to have such a place. The place is facing north overseeing the East China Seas. They have build many structures that suitable for wedding photography. 

While we were there, there was a couple taking wedding photo. It was fun to see them taking photo, especially when the couple suppose to jump ....

Well, I don't think this shot is going to be fantastic, the bride is wearing a long wedding grown and can't jump high enough. When they jump, we can only see the groom legs leaving the ground but the long wedding grown covered the leg of the bride.

If I am the "Director" ... chair!!

Siok sendiri again ... hahaha ..

I would get only the groom to jump, the bride will look up showing her surprise and "hang fok" face seeing her hubby jumping for joy ....

or if I want them to jump together (like I jump you jump thing-i), the bride can hold her own grown high enough to see her feet better in barefoot ..... and then jump together loh ..... Sorry, I am not expert nor experience in wedding photography ... but I think I have a "tricky mind"... Wakakakakaka !!

Yes, how can I leave this place without photos ...

So I also play-play director role by getting my friends for some nice shots .... hahahaha ... It is kind of fun to do that.

Finally, I do my jump shot before we continue our journey ... hahahaha...

Visiting Shihfen Waterfall at Pengsi, Taiwan

In my last trip to Taiwan, I went to a place called Shihfen Bu Ku (Direct translations as 10 points waterfall) near Pengsi at Taiwan. We parked our car at the tourist info center and walked in.

We need to walk pass a hanging bridge and some upward staircases to reach the waterfall. The surrounding scene was very beautiful. It was drizzling at the time and I have no choice but to take an umbrella to protect my camera for becoming wet. So my right hand took umbrella and left hand took tripod and camera, kind of messy at the time. Nevertheless, all these did not boarder me  much as I was admiring the beauty of the place. I took my owned sweat time to capture a few shots and leisurely walked to the destination.

I bypassed a railway track and seeing train moving passed me. It gives me wonder why the local wasn't worry of accident because we Malaysians were brought up by parent that telling us not to get near the railway track because of dangerous. But surprisingly we could walk side by side with the railway track and if you are lucky, we might have train passing by. If you are daring, you may stand on the rail tack to take photo too.

I was thinking to stand on the track to take some photos, but I was kind of Kiasi at that time, so I dropped the ideas worrying who know the next day newspaper came out a Malaysian Photographer was killed by a train while taking photo …. hahahaha LOL. Choi!!  Anyway, what a missed of not doing that ….

After about one kilometer distance I reached there. My family members who reached there first, off course when I arrived, everyone seem to stair at me complaining with the message “What take you so long to come here …. “ hahaha ….

To go in need to buy ticket. The waterfall is large for my standard, because I never see bigger waterfall before… hahaha … if you seen the American Nigeria waterfall, you would thinking it is just a “kuci-rat”

Nevertheless, I took a few nice shots and the surrounding. It is pretty cool place; we all hang around there and admire the beautiful nature created by God.

I tried to take some jump shots by my owned while waiting for my two boys having some instant noodle mee there, there are a small eatery selling some snack food …. I was using the self timers to capture my jump shot. I tried many time, either I jumped too soon or too late. hahah … luckily I found a quiet corner and no body see a crazy man jumping like a kid in front of a camera …. so old already !!! hahaha ..

This is I called self-siok sendiri … (enjoying myself) …

We continue our journey to nearby Pengi township, this place is famous with Kong Ming Teng. a small lantern that can flow up to the sky by placing fire underneath the lantern, just like a hot air balloon. People would like to write some of their wishes on the lantern. The color of the lantern also has meaning  which represent health, wealth, luck and many more. Due to religious issue as this is a ritual of seek gods blessing by releasing the lantern to the sky, we decided not to do it. Time is limited too, so we moved on our journey to next destination. But the town is very unique and beautiful. You may see how close the railway track near the shop premises.

Worry Not. I am in a Safe-Hand.

Something bad is expected to be happen long time ago never had happen but when it is really happening, heart sink and pain really there. Somehow, we contracted the disease of self-denier symptom that denies bad thing would happen. So life goes one without any preparation. But suddenly, “Bomb!!”, like a Tsunami hits ….

Well, somehow worry accomplishes nothing; don’t waste the energy in worry.

In bible, Jesus did teach us something:-

Matthew 6:27-29

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

Proverbs 12:25
Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

Matthew 6:30
And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

Matthew 6:31-33
So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

1 Peter 5:7

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (NLT)

Yes, thank you heavenly Father for being there for me, I know! I know! I know!, I need not worry so much because I have you. I have peace in mind as long as I follow your words. Like what the bible quotes, ... heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need (take note, is not want .. hahaha).

Thank you Father God the love and grace on me despite I have disappointed you many times. Forgive me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.



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Govt allows import and local printing of Bible in all languages

Today news from the Star.

Govt allows import and local printing of Bible in all languages
I would said brovo for the actions that the authority has taken. Praise God for this wonderful news. For the first time, I would see the Christian way of handling a matter by the authority.

Thanks to Dato Sri Idris Jala, a man that truly love God. I like some of his statement which states as below:-

Dato Sri Idris Jala said,

“I hope this 10 point solution will be received positively by the Christian groups as being fair and reasonable. We have to look for a solution that deals with the Bible issues and also put a way forward to handle other issues raised by the Christian groups”.

“I think the Bible issue is very unfortunate, and in the spirit of Lent, it is time for sacrifice, reconciliation and forgiveness.

"In our history as a young nation, we achieved a lot in a short period of time, but we have our shortcomings.

"The Government and our civil servants are not perfect as indeed all human beings are “beautifully imperfect” in the eyes of God.

"And for all our shortcomings in handling the Bible issue, I hope the Christians would find it in their hearts to forgive us.

"In my Church at SIBKL, we have been praying for a Christian revival to take place in our country. For all the hurt that exist as a result of our differences, I believe that we need healing, forgiveness and reconciliation in this country.

"The Bible says in Matthew 18: 21-22 “ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times”.

Finally, the 10-point solutions to resolve the issue.

1.Bibles in all languages can be imported into the country, including Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia.

2.These Bibles can also be printed locally in Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. This is a new development which should be welcome by the Christian groups.

3.Bibles in indigenous languages of Sabah and Sarawak such as Iban, Kadazan-Dusun and Lun Bawang can also be printed locally and imported.

4.For Sabah and Sarawak, in recognition of the large Christian community in these states, there are no conditions attached to the importation and local printing of the Bibles in all languages, including Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia and indigenous languages. There is no requirement for any stamp or serial number.

5. Taking into account the interest of the larger Muslim community, for Peninsula Malaysia, Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia, imported or printed, must have the words “Christian Publication” and the cross sign printed on the front covers.

6.In the spirit of 1Malaysia and recognising that many people travel between Sabah and Sarawak and Peninsula Malaysia, there should be no prohibitions and restrictions for people who bring along their bibles and christian materials on such travel.

7.A directive on the Bible has been issued by the Ketua Setiausaha (KSU) of the Home Ministry to ensure proper implementation of this cabinet decision. Failure to comply will subject the officers to disciplinary action under the General Orders. A comprehensive briefing by top officials, including the Attorney General (AG), will be given to all relevant civil servants to ensure good understanding and proper implementation of the directive.

8.For the impounded Bibles in Kuching, Gideon, the importer can collect all the 30,000 Bibles free of charge. We undertake to ensure the parties involved are reimbursed. The same offer remains available for the importer of the 5,100 Bibles in Port Klang, which have already been collected by the Bible Society Malaysia (BSM) last week.

9.Beyond the Bible issue, the Government wishes to reiterate its commitment to work with the Christian groups and all the different religious groups in order to address inter religious issues and work towards the fulfilment of all religious aspirations in accordance with the constitution, taking into account the other relevant laws of the country. In order to bring urgency to this work, the Prime Minister will meet the representatives of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) soon to discuss the way forward.

10.The Christian Ministers in the cabinet will meet on a regular basis with representatives of the various Christian groups in order to discuss their issues and work with the relevant Ministries and PM in order to resolve them.

Praise God for the wonders and thank you God for answering our prayer.

Release of the Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia (AlKitab)

Ah yorr …. I read newspaper yesterday with the headline “The Gideons not ready to collect “stamped” Bibles!!.

..and someone from Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) wanted to “preserve the BM bible in a museum” just because the bibles were defaced with a stamp stated “For Christian only” …..

Oh goash … Bible is only be Bible when people read it. The purpose is to share the word of God in the bible. They are many Christian Bumiputra who do not have a BM Bible. They don’t read Mandarin or English. I heard that there is revival going on in Sarawak, many Bumiputras who newly converted to Christianity need Bible urgently.

Thank God, finally, we heard good news that the BM Bible can be released, although the authority required the BM bible to be stamped, but at least from now onward, we can continue to import more bibles from overseas so that the BM reading brothers and sisters world have a book of bible without worry of no stock.

But the saddest part now is after all the efforts, the importer of the BM bible decides to Preserve the BM bibles in Museum … COME ON!, for my opinion, the BM bible is being humiliated and disgrace after being “lock-up” by the authority for so many years (since 2009), NOW! it has been “lock-up” again for the second time by the “God’s people”. This is totally unacceptable ! And please, please, please, for God sake, please release the bible to the people who need them. Bible belongs to the people of God and not in any museum !!!

The more I write this blog … the more rant on it !! (>,<)

I am no body and just a normal Christian. But hope that the importers, the high profile people of Gideons and Bibles Society of Malaysia (BSM), please re-consider your decision and after all the ultimate purpose is to bring the words of God to the people.

I pray that those BM bibles will be reaching the hand of HIS people and be a blessing to many people. Amen.