No sun

Yesterday I missed a spectacular sun-set and am very disappointed as lately I have been very busy with work and almost every-time I got back, I am sure to miss the sunset. To miss something so spectacular is sad for me. It feels like missing your favorite tv episodes.

But today, I came across people going back with their cameras and gears told me its not going to be a spectacular sunset so it isn't worth bringing your camera. This is due to the strong winds which brings all the clouds and haze. Still, I persisted and brought it along with me.

It wasn't so spectacular at first, but as it sets, the yellow glow covers the whole sky. It was so dramatic as I drove home, I couldn't keep my eyes off the skies when I am supposed to be focusing on driving. So reckless of me. 

I cranked up the kit lens to 18mm and captured this shot just before I got home. I am pleased and very happy. Just by looking at the sunset, all my troubles goes away as I whisper a short prayer of thanks to God. 

Figure 1: Loving the sunsets.

Catching the sunset

Figure 1: After sunset.

I was in a hurry to capture the sunset after handing in flyers for a church seminar. With me, I was accompanied by my little brother and two friends. As we set out the beach, I was optimistic as the sun was still high up the sky, however despite speeding past 100km/h the sun sets to my dismay.

It was almost dark and the sky is filled with dark clouds indicating that a storm will be coming soon, I set up my camera, not giving up as I have tried my best to reach just before the sunsets. It was windy and the dark waves are beating onto the rocks. Occasionally splashing on me.

With some filters and long exposure, I manage to get a least some of the light that is left of the sunset. I learned a lesson that day, that is, to be early and prepared in order to get the shot that I wanted. All in all, I would like to thank God for giving such a beautiful possibilities in life.

Figure 2: Sunlight fading.

Wedding Day

During my last break for Harvest Festival, I did manage to attend a wedding, I barely did as I have my hands full with other activities. It was my cousin's wedding and as I am around this is an opportunity to see her on her grand day.

The wedding is held at a church located in Ranau, a town which is located really close to Mount Kinabalu and as I said, I barely manage to get there in time for the church reception. Thank God, I managed after a steep mountain climb using my trusty 4x4.

Figure 1: Her beautiful wedding dress.

The weather is so-so, with mists here and there, but the event speaks warmth and unity. As I walked into the church, the aura is serene and very pious with church tradition. I quickly grabbed my Canon and went up front to capture that moment, special moment.

Figure 2: Happy smile.

My cousin is the highlight of the day, with her beautiful wedding dress, she smiled through out the church session as the Father, blessed the newly wedded couple. That is the most beautiful I saw her, especially when she smiled, as I remembered only seeing her like about 10 years ago.

Figure 3: The love of her life.

I was so blessed to see her husband and her unite even after such a long time not seeing each other, the smile she gave me was a blessing. She's two years younger than me, and she asked me when's my turn. I responded, maybe a few more years, as I am still not ready and just started a serious relation ship.

Oh God.. Slow me.. Will that time ever comes..

Nature of beauty

Figure 1: Greenery.

Beauty is a unique quality which brings pleasure to the senses. This is a dictionary definition of beauty, for me, beauty is a deep quality which brings out the best from an event, a scenery and even people. This deep quality is skin deep and certainly can be achieved with a great deal of appreciation.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

Without real experience or know how regarding the subject, it is hard for me to refer it as a beauty or beautiful. However with deep knowledge as well as experience, be it hardship or filled with joy, that unique quality brings me to realize the beauty in the subject matter.

"Beauty is not about having a pretty face, it is about having a pretty mind, pretty heart and pretty soul"

These modern days, beauty is all about having smoothness in life, be it smooth silky skin, shiny smooth paint,  be it artificial or original, beauty is regarded as only the outer layer of the subject. Less is regarded to those deep inside values or qualities in the subject's life, depiction and creation.

It is said that, "a beautiful smile hides the most hideous scars."

Superficial beauty is wonderful if it makes the front cover of a magazine, however one without that certain deep emotional quality will just stay that way without the readers even regarding it more than just a beautiful magazine cover. Understanding what's deep inside can reveal the true colors of beauty.

Be it sorrow, sadness, gloominess, loneliness, happiness, gladness and millions more expressions of emotions can make beauty in a certain event or a certain person can make that huge impact on life. Life is more than just outer beauty and more towards the whole.

Modern definition of beauty is regarded as a number one liar of a perfect world blinding mankind. I'm sorry if my definition of beauty is so mixed up, but due to my limited life experience, I found that, "there is more to beauty than what pleases the eyes".

Next time..

Busyness have been a friend of mine, but take time to ponder as you walk and think..

Life is beautiful, take time to treat yourself even with just a candy after some work done.