That's what friends are for ...

Ring, Ring …. “ Hello Hello …… “

“…. Okay Okay !! … Let go Yam Char …. “

The above is the conversation that someone is calling you to “Yam Char”. (It is a Cantonese word of “drinking tea” and it actually means your friend is calling you out for a social gathering)

When somebody called you to Yam Char, you are blessed because it means you have friend(s). For me, we human cannot live alone. We all need friends. Off course there are people prefer to be alone who dislike mixing around. But generally, they are considered less happy people, usually shy or introvert or maybe a bit of low self-esteem ….. or maybe outright lazy to go out… rather to be the slave of the T.V !!!! Wakakaka …

(Ops !! seeing a few rotten eggs throwing from far to meeeeeee……!!! Blusttttttt !! )

See!! If you are presently having this kind of thinking in your mind, refute my statement cum feeling to throw rotten eggs to me, you are fit into my description of the above that you are an unhappy person ……. hee hee!

(Ops … RUNnnnnn-ahhhh!! …. instead of rotten eggs … this round knifes were throwing in ………………………………….)

Friends - Everyone needs friends, especially during difficult times.

A true friendship is a relationship that survives during tribulations or crisis moments. When a friendship was established base on materialistic driven or merely enjoyment, it is not a true friendship because it can be easily disappeared or challenged during a crisis time.

For me, a true friendship exists when you can freely share your thoughts (or problem) and be comfortable with emotional safety with the other person. A true friendship is you can share your common interest with one another and had mutual respect on the uniqueness of individual characters. A true friendship is beyond hanging around for good moment, but rather it is the moment that someone willingly gives you a helping hand when you are in the worst phase of life.

Recently, a friend is in his worst phase of life due to certain reasons. But I have seen many of his friends showing support and concern to him. Words of encouragement have been flying in non-stop in fb / sms trying to encourage him. Even some called for Yam Char session to console and cheer him up.

Sometime, your friend may not able to resolve the problem you face, but lending you their listening ears would reduce some tensions, at least when you are feeling relieve, you would have a better state of mind to deal with the issue.

Even for me, I have some issues that troubling me and today, I receive some messages from my friends…  …

One says ...

“Don’t think too much …. We are behind both of you !!!”

Another one says ….

“Steady bro. We are behind you.”

Well, isn’t life become sweeter when you have friends like that?

Isn’t it like having a glass of cold water when you are under a hot sun?

Wow … that's what friends are for ….. 




Hehehehe ……

(As for the rest of my friends which are not up in the blog ... I hope you won't mind. But if you are, please call me lah, I can take your funiest face and then do a highlight of you in my Blog ... Wakakakaka [evil laugh] ......)

Pen Lovers TT at Olympus Office

It was a sunny day. A group of 20 over PEN Lovers matched into Olympus Office on a Saturday morning on 14 May 2011. We were greeted warmly by the Olympus Sales and Marketing staff. In addition, It is our honor of meeting the Managing Director of Olympus Mr Tan Tick Boon and General Manager, Mr Yong Kee Nyap. Surprisingly it was not what I expected to see someone in elderly look but rather, looking young and energized plus "Liang Sai" (Handsome).

The new Olympus office is located at 10th floor in One Mount Kiara. When we entered, Wow!! I love the conference room and the foyer. A few tables with chairs were placed there, perfect for small group discussion or for lunch. I can see Olympus do take care their staff welfare very much. It is a place for them to relax and mingle around. A small pantry was set up with some latest kitchen utensil and equipment which prepared for the convenience of staff.  Everywhere was decorated with big posters consist of world class photographs. It had made the place so "Chun" and beyond words to describe ....

The showroom was also decorated perfectly, no only various model of cameras were displayed there, but they have decorated the place with beautiful objects which are perfectly good for macro shooting … I think we can spent hours over there to shoot at those decorative items. Haha ..

  

We are actually "a bit" sorry to the Olympus Management because of our mischief. As usual, we are like a bunch of big boys (despite some had became daddy) and acted like small kids playing their big toys. While the MD, Founder or even our “PEN Lover's Teacher” were giving speech or sharing in front, some of us cannot seat still and busy playing with our cameras ...

Sound of Click Chak , Click Chak continous hearing onsite ...

Hahahaha ... That what made us so called photo enthusiast loh ... 

Once the camera in hand ... Ah Pa Tol Ng Yin Dak lah !!!! (It is a contonese saying, once you hold something that you love... even the father call you, you also cannot recognised ......)

We were having fun, doing small chatting at the back and not paying full attention ... Ah yah! Got a bit-lah, on and off loh ^.^ At least for my case, I am like that lah ... hahahaha ... soli loh ....especially to the MD ... :)

Not so sincere hor !! Hehehe ...

Hahaha … I hope the MD won’t mind after all, we are so crazily because we are so engross to his product mah (A Good Sign!!) and forgotten about the office or meeting ethic …. Hahaha ….

The following photos, I called it the "Caught in the Acts!!"

If you have sharp ears, you would probably hear shutter clicking sound non-stop.

hehehehe....

It is indeed a good sharing session especially to the new members of PEN Lovers, I believe most of us take home with more information about the Olympus and some photography techniques and also photo editing technique using Viewer2. For those who are interested in lenses, had the opportunity to test and play-play with it. I believe many of you have "kenal" Poison of wanting to buy already …

So, Guys, why wait? GO BUY BUY BUY ...

Like I said in my previous post .. Olympus is a Poison to your Wallet but is an Antidote to your stressful life .... isn't that true !! Wakakakakaka .....(BTW, we are laughing all the way to do street shooting and Mr MD laughing all the way to the bank .... ) Muakakakakaka !!

This TT in Olympus office was a good platform for exchange of information and  learn from one another. Let gives Koon Yik a "Thumb Up" for a JOB WELL DONE!! Bro... GOOD JOB!!

At the End of the session, some of the PEN LOVERS moved on for street shooting at Central Market … I don't want to elaborate more about the street TT. But is Guarantee Fun ... If you want to know how fun are we having ... Go and Buy You a PEN Camera and Join our PEN LOVERS GROUP  in Facebook ... Okay!! …..

The End ...



Ops, one more thing...

You can seat there do nothing .....
but I rather seat there do something ....
But, what's better thing to do?
Off course having fun in my PANT...
OPPSSSS!! .... Soli soli (typo error) ...
Off course having  fun with my PEN .....
Hee! hee! hee! hee! ...

Olympus, My Poison or Antidote?

I am “whole life” buying Olympus … Yes, no joke!!

(Please don’t think Olympus have paid me to write this blog) Ok!!

Well, at least is true up to this point of time. I am not sure in future. So far, I have six cameras in life and all of them are Olympus made. From the first camera, a film camera was also from Olympus until my current camera, an Olympus PEN EPL-2.

“Why?” some K-poh would ask.

Honestly, I don’t know why.

Every time I wanted to change my camera, toward the end, I went home with Olympus. I remember there were a few occasions, I was comparing a few brands but I ended up buying Olympus. Nobody pokes me to buy or influence by friends who used Olympus or had threaten me …. But I just decided to buy Olympus camera … emm!!?

Why ? Why ? Why?

I still remember when I wanted to invest into a better camera (instead of compact camera.) I was thinking to get a DSLR camera; People told me the best DSLR camera is either Canon or Nikon. So, in one of the Merchant Fair, I am so prepare to buy the Nikon 3100 which I have checked a few times already …. (money is so ready, too bad, they failed to win my “buy”)

Cut the story short I ended up with Olympus again!! I bought PEN EPL1 !! (before I upgrade to EPL-2)

Olympus again!!? How come plan to buy Nikon but ended up with Olympus …..

I must have been “Cham” by Olympus Poison Poison!! Any Oly Antidote? LOL

Even, after I reached home I felt a bit regret that I didn’t buy the Nikon 3100 ….

hehehehe …

Nevertheless, now I reflect back, I am not regret that I bought Olympus PEN … I love the PEN because it is compact and light weight but producing DSLR quality photo … The most important is I got to know a bunch of PEN Lovers who are using Olympus PEN. I am getting more active into photography with this group. Prior to that, I don’t even know the different between DSLR and Micro Forth Third … not to mentioned all those alien words like aperture, ISO , metering and all those lenses type … Gosh! So Crazy !! It is so confusing ….

But through PEN Lovers, I started to pick up knowledge about photography and it gave me many opportunities to learn about camera, lenses and such. I started to join them for T.T, a photo-walk around activities at street or certain location that we do one thing together, i.e, take photograph. I am also actively share my photo in facebook or flickr so that others can comment on my photo …Don’t under estimate this process as this is the best way to learn and improve our photo shooting skills.

I never thought I would set foot into Olympus office and meet the Managing Director and General Manager. For me, they are up up up up out there, in the planet MARS. I can only think of the reason for me to go Olympus office is the time I want to send my camera for service, but is only services center and not the corporate office :)

But last Saturday, with the help and initiative from the PEN Lovers founder, Koon Yik Chin, we have the opportunity to visit Olympus new office at One Mount Kiara and meet up with the MD and GM. 

We are glad that Olympus had given such a recognition to PEN Lovers. We appreciated Olympus allowing us to use their conference facilities to conduct our owned training session. Even the PEN Lovers' Signature Poster was hanged in their new conference room …

It is indeed a solid recognition to all the PEN users and we are truly appreciated for the support from Olympus.

Time is getting late and time for me to chow!! I will cover the Olympus Buddies T.T @ Olympus office in my next post … okay? 

Hahaha, stay tune if you are interested! 

BYE!!

(You may check my previous blog post on the purchase of PEN, click here).

P.S. Oh!! Forgot! Is Olympus a Poison or Antidote for me?

Well, I would like to answer ......

"Olympus is Poison to my Wallet but is an Antidote for my Stressful Life, with Olympus I can paint my life with many exciting colors   .....  "

The Return of My Luv

It has been a long farewell with my luv, people said time is the best remedy to forget the pain of loosing something important in our heart. But each and every day, time passes-by but the lonesomeness remains there; the lost of pain gobble the heart and made many sleepless nights ….. Deep inside, the heart is howling out many times … calling you … but you remain unanswered……

Why ? Why ? Why ?

Who is so crudely separated me from you? Is it intention or just an accident?

I do not have answer….

Though you know but I know you can't tell me now.

Mother of a missing child could lodge police report and get everyone in public to help her. Owner of missing pets can print posters and paste everywhere hoping some kind hearted people would find their pets.

But, missing you, I am so helpless. What can I do to get you back?

Although I have tried to look for replacements of luv … but they are not you. I could not find the same passion that in you in other places. Yes, some of them could be more beautiful or even better … but maybe the chemistry is not right. My heart remained lonesome ….. I cannot forget the wonderful and sensation images after going through your loving body … They are simply awesome and no replacement.

Finally, I decided I want you back, my heart yell for the return of you … I don't care, I can't wait anymore …

I believe only "you" can replace the loss of "you". There is no other replacement in the world. No matter how much it cost me … I still "willing" …

Yes …

No regret!!

No return!!

No more waiting!!

No more searching around!!

Enough is enough!!

.................................................................................................

Therefore, on 13 May 2011, after loosing you for 20 days, I walked into a shop and buy a panny back.

The Panasonic 20mm f1.7 Pancake lens …

Hahahaha .. this is my luv …LOLz..

I am happy now and like many prince and princess stories, from now onward, they are living in the castle happily ever after ….

The End

See also the earlier post on farewell lettle to my panny ... click here

CHANGES IN LIFE

Many people see this word "CHANGE" as a Monster as if it will eat you up alive!!

We human dislike changes because it will interrupt our daily routine which we had been comfortable with it.

We human dislike changes because fear of the uncertainty and the feeling of insecurity because we are not in control of the outcome.

We human dislike changes because we may need to add or minus something in our life in order to accommodate the changes ….

No matter how you dislike, when changes come, no one can run away ……

You either have to accept and work thru the changes or you run away from the situation but still caught into another form of changes for you. No matter how, when changes come, either you happy or unhappy, like or dislike … Changes will still come to you.

Therefore, let face it fearlessly!! Take this as a challenge!! Let welcome it !!

At least I know I got the divine protection from up there …..

In Roman 8:31 it states, " ….If God is for us, who can be against us?

Lord Jesus, I trust you!!

 



Happy Mother's Day

Hi, wishing all Mothers a Happy Mother's Day!!

I just passed the 46^th Mother's Day without a mother, it was a strange feeling. It never occurred to me what so big deal about this day until I lost her. For the passed 45 years, I enjoy Mother's Day with my beloved mum but I could not recall any special things that I had done for her on these days. Most likely, we went out for a normal family dinner or bought her some small gifts. Since my mum birthday was on May 5 which is near to the Mother's day, we used to celebrate the two occasions together.

Nothing special? Yes, I can't recall anything that is special …. Why ?

Emmmm……………

I guess human being is like that, when we really lost somebody that is very dear to us, and then, we will start regretting for not doing enough or not doing something more special for her, or something that are more substance for that person.

Time that passed will never return!!

If time can be returned (How I wish …), I asked myself, how am I going to celebrate this Mother's Day with her?

I think I will bring my mum and my whole family to a photography studio. I will dress her beautifully like a bride; we will take many many many family photos with her. She will be the star of the day shines wonderfully …. I am going to ….. then ….

But ….no more star, no more bride …. no more mother…. the imagination slowly faked into the darkness …

because I don't have this opportunity any more …..

I am glad that my Mum is with the Lord, Jesus Christ. At least I know where she is now. I truly missed her and I believe if I continue to stay with the Lord, one fine day, I will have the opportunity to see her again…..

Mum, I missed you and Happy Mother's Day.

What is two-hour to you ?

What can you do with two hours?

Some would go for an afternoon snap ….

Some would watch a movie ….

Some people would use the two hours to write a blog like this ...

Some do nothing and let it passed by …… …..

"So what!?" an angry man stares at me "Is my two hours, why you so K-poh…?"

Well, the two hours are belonging to you; you have the sole discretion what best for you.

………………………………………………..................................................

For me, I decided to spend my two hours for TT (Photo walk session) with my friends at Brickfield where the famous Little India is located. I have been to Brickfield several times, but I only took some night shots during the last Deepavali festive season … but never had opportunity to take day time photos. Taking photo in bright day is much easier than night. With sufficient lighting, it is easier to capture shots with clear images.

I was having fun interacting with people there. Honestly, the easy race to capture photo is the Indian, they are super friendly and they don't mind people taking their photo. Then, followed by the Malay, but the Chinese is the most difficult people to take picture, generally they are very caution with strangers…..

Therefore, body language is important in street photography … if you are carrying a dead looking face, please please please, I beg, don't join our T.T .. hahahah .. LOLz.

(I think next time must do a smile test before allow joining the T.T …. Wakakakaka!!!)

For me, a successful street photographer is not how sharp photo he/she had taken but rather did the person have offended any one after he took the photos. We must learn how to respect people. If the person notice you are taking his photo, at least give him a smile.

If his body language showing sign of consent, then goes ahead to fire the shot. If it is uncertain like moving his head away, then ask for permission ….. Do some small talks would help to ease the tension …. The bottom line is, our body language must be friendly and courteous … a big smile is a MUST on our face.

Sometime we can go for extra miles by letting the person see the photo in the camera, at least he/she deserves to see how the photo look like, do some small talks K-poh like how business doing, what he is selling ….. If the person likes the photo, we should ask for email address / fb link so that a photo can be emailed or share with him. However, just a word of caution, please be careful, don't simply share your link of your fb account, you should make your decision by judging the person first impression …

Therefore, the beauty of street T.T (street photography) is the INTERACTION part with people; don't be afraid to make friends with people.

The worse street photographer is the sniper who hides at the back of a pillar or a dust bin and tries to shoot far far away, and ran away quickly before people notice …. 

Hehehehehe  … which category of photographer you are ….

…….. The friendly one or the dislike one …. !!?

Last but not lease, let me share with you how my three friends enjoy themselves, they have made Kuala Lumpur a better place to stay.

The End  (^_^)

KELUAR SIGN IS OUT!!

"OUT! " or in Malay, it called "KELUAR" …..

I never felt so much on this word "Out" before … but it means a lot to me now.

Finally the news are out that the Putra Place, a place that owned office tower, retailed outlets and The Legend Hotel have changed ownership. It has changed from my present employer to another company who had successfully bought over the whole property.

With the change of ownership, it affected  many thing, every single bit and bytes of the businesses right up to the morale of staff. Uncertainty set in and many staff are worry loosing their jobs.

Today devotion, God word comes in handy and timely … It talked about Job (READ: Job 38:1-11,31-33), which God reveal how great He is to Job (and me as well) about His power and might which He created this world and to observe His ability to control every element of it.

The tagline of the message: He who holds the stars in space holds His people in His hands …

Wow, thank you Father God, you are great!! Isn't that the reason good enough for me to trust You? I should not worry too much as many times in the past have proven God has been taking care of me… I thank God for speaking to me and encourage me in this moment.

One again,

He who holds the stars in space holds His people in His hands. This is God who creates the heaven and earth, He surely can be trusted. If He has the stars in His hands, surely He can take care of us as well.

Praise God for that, hallelujah ….

Blame facebook for your failed marriage?

Wife said "Hey, sayang, you CANNOT play facebook from now onward?"

"Why?" asked Husband.

"For the sake of me and the kids loh, Dear .."

Husband turned around stare at his wife with big question face  (^___^??) …

Wife smile and said "Dear, our Senator was saying FB cause the rising of divorce cases"

" Ha! (> ~~ <!!)…????

Husband's jaw dropped …

month open wide with a hole ….

and Speechless ………...

(The above conversations were reported happen in many parts of Malaysia) …. LOLz

…………………………………………………………………….

Today Newspaper (28 April 2011) – The STAR reported Senator Ahmat Husin blamed Facebook for the increase in divorce case …

First thing in the morning when I read about this news, I immediate type his name and Google for image of our "beloved" Senator wanting to see how he looked like ….

Ha! Ha! Ha!  …. K-Poh attitude strive again lah !!

I do that is not to check whether is he liang cai (handsome) or not … but just want to match whether his face resembling to any of the images in my mind of a lusty looking old man with mind of nothing but filled with Sex and Lusty desires…. and also saliva dribble from his chin …. hehehehe

Unfortunately cannot find him …….

This reminds me some passed news for similar content that quoted by some leaders / politicians of our country, For example, blamed woman dressing that cause men lust !? or rape rates gone up !? …. one person said men have affairs as wives "neglect" her duty!? … I remember reading news about women should wear chastity belts to prevent rape crimes …. (If you don't believe it, type in all these key words and Google, Bingo!! you may find those news I mentioned about  ….. )

Come on, why a Senator had such a shallow mind …..

If your marriage is broken, don't blame facebook! Blame yourselves because it is YOU who are looking for sex in the facebook (or internet) !! Even if facebook not available, if man want to lust and sleep around, do you think he can't find a mean?  It is his characters or attitude to be blamed for not loyal to his wife, please don't simply blame others …..

I am a heavy user of facebook and I meet many genuine and kind hearted people. They are my friends now and we share common interest like photography. It is an insult to all of us who are using facebook. Please don't label us with dirty mind when you are dirty …

Goash … Malaysia Boleh again, now Malaysia is famous in the international scene if this news went abroad. People sure laugh at us for being narrow and shallow minded …

Wake up, leaders of the country … Please be vigilant of what you say out. So shameful lah!!

Early morning, kenal rant for it !!! Errrrr…… 

Photowalk - TT Session @ Ipoh on 23 April 2011

It was a sunny day in Ipoh on 23 April 2011, a group of young people including me (not so young one) is attacking Ipoh town with M16 …

Ops.... soli soli, is M6

Ops …. soli soli, is not Leica M6 too, that one only Yeow has it.

We attacked Ipoh with our Olympus PEN camera …. Because this is the day we the Oly Pen Lovers group are going to Ipoh for outdoor photo shooting session.

So,

For the sake of reaching Ipoh early, I force myself, with drag, pull & push myself out from my beloved bed at 5.00 am Morning. So crazy, I slept at 1.00 am, only 4 hours sleeping time …. goash !!

Who is so crazy waking up in the wee hours of the morning?

What better way than cradle inside a warm bed dreaming with your love ones on a Saturday morning!!?

Well, I bet there are another nine friends who are like that ! So CRAZY!!

…………………………………………………………………………..

At about 9.00 am, we are enjoy a good breakfast in the famous Kedai Kopi Kong Heng at Ipoh Old Town. The famous food there is the Kai Si Hor Fun (shedders Chicken Noodle Soup.). Off course we also tried other famous food like satay, popiah and many more ….

Ipoh town is famous with heritage buildings, many are built before World War II, some buildings even built much earlier. These buildings are classic and simply gorgeous. I hope the state government would spend more times and money to enhance and preserve this place …

This place is the assets for all rakyat of Malaysia.

Although Ipoh did not gain the recognition of World Heritage site but this is another place that the Malaysian Government should be responsible to ensure the heritage buildings are preserved with proper care so that our next and next next generations would enjoy the beautiful architecture works of the olden days.

TT is very fun especially when joining a group of fun people. After numerous times of TT together, basically, we are quite “Soub” (Cantonese word meaning knowing each other) … so we would tease each others with candid shots, photo trick or even make fun one another by pulling legs or hair … ops, just kidding, over exaggerate on the second part of the sentence … no pulling legs or hair, okay! We are Gentlemen and Ladies mah.

hehehehe …

Beside the street shot at old town, we visited KTM (Keratapi Tanah Melayu) Railway Station. A magnificent place that had a name called Taj Mahal in Ipoh by the locals. The building was built by a “Quow Loh” (Westerner), Arther Benison, an architect from British in 1935.

Part of the building was housed the Majestic Hotel, which famous in Ipoh at one time, but unfortunately, when we reached there, it was closed with terrible abandon sites .. Although the entrance was covered with plywood, but it looked terribly in the eyes of the public, more so a place that attracts overseas tourists.

What a lousy management …. don’t know who to blame !!

Nevertheless, the ugly sites of KTM building had became our targeted places for photo shooting ….

We also went into the railway platform to take some shots and meet up some friendly people. I saw a kid playing with one of my friend DLC, the "Tai KoKo" both look so innocent, so I capture the moment ....

 and also meet a guy sleeping .... so I am thinking... "Is 1 Malaysia also sleeping ?" Hahahaha ...

Time passby fast, especially when we are enjoying ourselves. It almost 3pm plus and we rushed to the Kallies castle … a well known haunted castle that the spirit of Mr William Kellie Smith (the owner) wondering around at the 2nd floor corridor and his wife Agnes, wearing a white blouse and curly hair sitting at her old bedroom. Phantom smells of incense and spirits have been reported and the castle possesses hidden rooms and secret underground tunnels that made people wondering about all these ramous ….

Whatever is it, we did not experience anything …  In the bright day light and our noise and laugher can scare away any ghost in the world … hahahaha

It is a wonderful site for photo shooting.

One thing for sure … many wedding photography were taking in this place.

How come no one say …..

"CHOI~ TAI KA LAI SI ...." .... hahahaha

Lastly, I just wanted to thank all my buddies in PEN LOVERS group who have supported the Ipoh TT ....  Although I know many of you still not "enough" ... (from the look of you guys' face). Anyway, time is getting late and maybe we plan again in our future TT .....

Last, may I introduce you the Founder of PEN LOVERS GROUP IN FB ... MR KOON YIT CHIN .... and the "calefee" the humber Me-Loh   ^,~   (by the way, if you are PEN users, you may search under group called 'PEN LOVERS" .....  and join us in our next T.T).

The End.