Bicycles: Gift for lil bro

Ever since I am small, I have learned and enjoyed cycling, it brings out the fun in me and since I am not the kind of person who enjoys slow sports or constant speed, this is the perfect exercise machine for me. I have stopped exercising last year and my body is in such a bad shape.

Figure 1: Carbon fiber bars.

 I haven't been able to spend much time with my little brother, who is 10 years younger than me, as much as I wanted too, we are so far away and I only meet him a few times per year. I would like to share the joy of riding a bicycle with him too and if possible the whole family.

Figure 2: SLX shifters.

One of the most essential parts of a bicycle with gears is the shifters. The shifters consists of two, one for the front crank and the other for the cassettes. I have used fiddly and shifters of old, sometimes stuck in one gear and also failing to shift properly causing chains to rail out. These days, shifters are really smooth.

Figure 3: Aluminium alloy frame.

One of the most important safety aspects of the bicycle is the brakes, when going at a fast speed and suddenly your brakes fail, that is where accidents happens. I have upgraded the brakes from wire type to hydraulic so that, the braking mechanism is more powerful.

Figure 4: Carbon stem.

Figure 5: Rear derailleur, cassette shift.

Figure 6: KHS Spidi frame.

I used to be very carefree when I am riding my bicycle, sometime I was too un-focused and didn't look into what direction I am heading to, I ended up in the drain, it was a very painful experience. It is thus important to look ahead while moving forward and handle the bike with safety in mind.

Figure 7: Shimano rims M565.

Figure 8: Disc brakes and shocks.

For most of the part, I have upgraded the bicycle to give my little bro a better biking experience. There are still a few parts which I can't upgrade due to the escalating costs, such as the shock absorbers which cost quite a fortune. Maybe next time.

I really hope he enjoys this mountain bike as much as I do. Bicycles have a way to take out the fun young spirit inside of you, better health and quality life.

Definition: Fun

Figure 1: Fun time.

Last year I took a simple journey from one place to another to meet up with friends and spend time with them in a way that I utilized most of the time of the day to be able to dine well, play games and converse interesting things.

What is your definition of fun? I have had fun days but it seems that what used to be fun long ago is no longer fun at this point of time. Why is that so? Is it because the child named fun inside of me just grew up and threw away his used to be fun toys?

Time and situations changes one, be it their mental maturity as well as their surroundings. It hurts to think that the games I used to enjoy playing no longer has that magic to make me stay and play the whole day. Still, is it that important to just play games till I get old, I believe life is more than that.

I guess its time to find games which are beneficial for me and able to bring out the best in me. I wanted to be a fun person and approachable too. Still there's so much in me that has to change, physically and mentally. I need to be able to cater for both older and younger than me age groups.

It's tough so one step at a time and no high expectations for me though.

Reminiscing 2013: My final four

It is close to 12 o'clock in the midnight, solving problems one by one as they keep piling up with the rain. It seems like every-time I go to work, the load is never-ending. Despite it all, the weather is keeping me away from taking beautiful photos of the sunset. 

I missed the sunsets and that is why I have posted photos mostly of sunsets and landscapes around the place where I lived. Most of the time, whenever I am alone, I take time away to gaze upon the horizon and breathe away the stress and take in the good positive vibes.

Figure 1: Rainbows.

Whenever I see the rainbow, I remember promises, even though the rainbow fades time and time again it appears, sometimes really bright, sometimes pales upon the horizon. The beauty of the rainbow with its vibrant colors never fail to impress me. I always remember God's promises despite the storms of life.

Figure 2: The great divide.

I enjoy solving problems regarding equipment and things which are easily manipulated. However, it is really difficult to be a human problem solver, especially when it causes division and havoc in the work process. It is inevitable really but I can only do so much to mitigate it.

Figure 3: Misty waves.

Whenever I breathe in the warm air from the sea, enjoying and basking in the sunset, I always think of myself relieved of duty and free. It always like that at the end of the day, when I couldn't think no more, I walk on the soft beach, wet my feet in the warm waters and relax.

Figure 4: White rose.

The last photo is the best photo which I can describe to symbolize last year occurrences. It hits me, when a friend of yours lost someone whom they deeply love, and you have no words to comfort them, I am at a loss on how to approach and put the person at ease. In the end, a white rose with comforting words of hope did the favor.

I would like to give a big thanks to Duncan in Kuantan blog for making these photo sharing a great one and also giving the chance to get to know other bloggers who are not only creative in their photos but also inspiring me through this short photo journey.

Reminscing 2013: 5 days fury

It has been five days since I last wrote and posted, I have been very busy with work. It has been quite a stressful start of 2014 with sudden workload and emergent works to attend to, but I know that this is a challenging start for me.

Since I missed five days of the 2013 top photos, I decide to post 5 photos with short descriptions on why I have chosen these photos and the impact that it has given me for last year 2013. It has been a great year with fruitful experience.

 

Figure 1: The bride.

Last year, I have the opportunity to capture the wedding of my cousin at a church in my homeland. I was so happy to be able to capture the moment even though I was using such an old camera whilst the official photographers are using the best.

 

Figure 2: My dad and todu.

In figure 2, this shows the photo of my dad with todu, or his aunt, my dad was born and raised in the village area and he was raised as a farmer and almost don't made it to school if it wasn't for his mother. My dad has made a lot of sacrifice for me and my family.

Figure 3: Phoenix.

During this point of time, I was so sad that I wasn't able to capture the sunset due to the horrendous weather, this is what I am also feeling right now as it is rainy and the clouds always blocks the beautiful light. But whenever I see this picture of a rising phoenix, I smiled. 

Figure 4: Strike.

Capturing motion of the waves is one of my favorite subject when the weather is sublime and dull. This is one of the part of the beach in the island where the waves are slightly strong but doesn't crashes too hard on the sands. Motion capture fascinates me.

Figure 5: Droplet reflections.

It rained so much last year that I can't go out and capture much of the landscapes, so while it wasn't drizzling so heavily I used a macro lens and capture this droplet on the leaf, I was lucky to be able to get this shot as I wasn't supported by tripod.

So these are the five captures that I can share due to my busy schedule at work, which I am current at now. All in all I would like to give thanks to God for his abundant blessings in life.

Reminiscing 2013: Misty low tide

Figure 1: Rocky sunset.

The tide is low, and the stones starts to emerge from the waters. Live seaweeds still linger on top of the stones subject to die at the merciless heat of the sun. Unlike the circle of life, the circle of the tides always reoccur and will only stop when time ends.

Reminiscing 2013: Tiger Lily

Black and white photos stand in an arena of their own, where without colors it tries to portray an image by the intensity of black and white tones, texture of the image and almost purely by composition. It is easy to capture a black and white image with today's camera's but to create a stunning one is the challenge.

Figure 1: Lily in B&W.

I captured this lily using a fix focal prime lens. It allows me to isolate the lily from the other subjects as so to show its texture as well as shape. The light pink color of the lily is beautiful, but I decide to convert this image into black and white just to see how it does.

Reminiscing 2013: Environment blues

With temperatures rising every year and the weather getting more and more unpredictable, it seems that mother nature is retaliating against us. Mankind who is tasked to take care of the world has grown greedy and has neglected protecting nature. It is saddening to me.

Figure 1: Bottled up sunset.

Food for thought, with organic food becoming a rarity and expensive product to buy, food is getting more and more artificial. With fast food being the favorites of today's generation, it seems like natural and healthy food is getting scarce to date. It seems like a global food problem will arise soon.

Reminiscing 2013: Fading away slowly

Sometimes I felt like just melting away and fade into the horizon. With all the loneliness that is around me. All I can think is of you, far away across the ocean. Take note that the magenta tint in the horizon is due to the cheaper filters which I used.

Figure 1: Fading away in the horizon.

This is one of the first pictures of myself, when I learned how to use filters and just got into long exposure photography. It seems like you can make yourself almost invisible by using long exposure with neutral density (ND) filters. I am indeed fascinated with landscape photography.

Reminiscing 2013: Night lights

As much as I love to capture the sunsets, I always end up coming home late from work. Last year, I was so busy, even till this January due to the work load I always missed or don't have the opportunity to even see the sun set into the horizon. 

Figure 1: Colourful shimmering night lights.

For me, living in an island, the most spectacular views are always early in the morning or when the sun is going to set. The golden hour, everytime I look at it it makes my stress go away. Still I can't make it all the time, so the night lights will do too.

Reminiscing 2013: Small lady

A not so smooth start for the new year 2014, I felt so uneasy and not psyched. I feel so small and fragile. I don't even dare to face other people. I feel like I don't belong in this world and everything is a large distance away. I am scared and scarred. 

Figure 1: Mi Ladybird.

But mi lady is strong, she can go great distance one day even if she's small. It is inspiring to see how this small creature lives and survives in such a diverse ecology where one has so much predators around. Even in its short life span, it lives its fullest.

Reminiscing 2013: Reflections

I am addicted to sunsets ever since I am small, as they are the times of the day, besides sunrise, where the skies turn yellow, orange and red. A lot of warm colors are activated during the golden hour of the day. This one is about reflections, and during this time I reflected about myself.

Figure 1: When waters are calm, you see reflections.

The challenge is also to capture it at the right moment. If you arrived too late, just in time to set up your camera out of the bag, the light will soon turn to darkness and you'll miss your shot. So there's the timing as well as how you want to find a different angle for different creative shots.

Reminiscing 2013: China Town, KT

It is my first time going to this part of my country. A place filled with history and culture mixed up all together to form a nice place. Old places are falling apart but surprisingly this part of town is still maintained well and I was fortunate to be able to take a picture.

Figure 1: Me at Chinatown.

My friend, Rey, who was a local at this place brought me around town. I chose this photo as a reminder to myself to be moderate and temperate in what I partake. I have gained so much weight due to high intake but low energy usage. Still jovial though.

Kick start 2014

A great start for the new year 2014, I went out cycling with some cycling buddies for new year. It is different from all the other years before as this time, I am really serious about making cycling a routine. I have to admit that it is tough to keep my weight in check.

I have exercise mood swing, I used to jog everyday and go to gym. However, I got bored of doing the rounds again and again, every day its almost the same. I went to gym, but at the gym, I got so tired and got back home very late that I dislike the time spend.

So, last year 2013, my friend introduced me to cycling, where he lent me his mountain bike, which I eventually bought cheap second hand from him. I learned a fun way to exercise my body and meet more friends who share the same passion. I hope this last and I enjoyed every trip on the bike.

I decided to myself that if I do get fit and back into shape, I would get a nice road bike for me. Well, at least that is something to get me motivated in the long run. I know it ain't going to be easy but I know where to start now. At least for now the passion is burning. 

Figure 1: Bianchi Impulso.

Reminiscing 2013: Back to Labuan

After studying and being away from the island for quite sometime, I have never thought of returning back to the place where I grew up and spend my childhood life. The Pearl of the South China Sea is where my family grew and there are tons of memories. Friends, family and the good times and bad times.

Figure 1: The clock tower.

I got a job at the place where my dad used to work, and I felt so blessed for the opportunity to work there. Thus working and living in Labuan is one of the significant event that has happened in my life for the past year 2013. The clock tower wasn't there when I was growing up, but when I came, there it is.

Be blessed everyone.

Reminiscing 2013: Milky sunset

Year 2013 is a year filled with sunsets, a moment when day will soon turn into night. The transition in between results in a golden hour which simply captures my heart. I enjoy capturing the waves and seascapes during this hour.

Figure 1: Milky wave.

Thus my second picture of reminiscing year 2013 is a picture of a sunset which is a mix of red, yellow and orange with contrast to the blue skies. Using slow shutter technique, my desire is to capture the soft movement of the waves.