Yester -year

It has been a really long 1 year and a month passed since I posted my last blog post. There has been too much happening that I didn't even had the time to blog on the computer. I didn't even have time for social networks since I de-activated my Facebook. 

I guess I will start to blog once again, just to keep track of this short fast life. I have been actively cycling and bicycle building. It has been one of my hobbies besides photography which I have slowed down for quite some time since I switch from APS-C to Full frame due to lack of filters and lenses.

I have been married since 28th of December 2014 with my ex-girlfriend and currently expecting a baby by the end of this year. I have been so blessed through out the year with challenges and a happy family. I hope that it will last and am learning to be a better person and partner.

I love cycling since I was small. Currently I am into bikes tuning and building. I am not a good builder but I am picking up skills here and there.  I am not an exceptionally fit rider. Just a casual one who loves to cycle with a premium steed that I custom build.

March '14: Stranded and alone

Have you ever feel stranded and alone in life, when there's nobody to turn to and when times get so tough that you feel you just wanna cry. While listening to some old school music, I closed my eyes and try to reminisce the time when I felt that way.

I used to be like that whenever I return from school, and my father promised to fetch me, but due to my father being late, I am left all alone at school and it was already dark. Still, in the dark alone at the bus stop I have a small shimmering hope that my father will come.

And indeed at the minute that I hold on to this little small hope of mine, lights flashed from a distance and it parked just in front of the bus stop. It was my dad, I never lose hope in him and through out life, he has been the symbol of strength and hope. He is the person I look as a role model.

Figure 1: Stranded and alone at night.

March '14: The spirit of home

Figure 1: Bird's home.

I used to think that I will never ever grow up and leave home. That I will always stay the same and enjoy myself as a kid. Everyday will be happy with my family and the rainbow of joy will never fade away. But that is all a kid's fantasy and in time, I didn't even have a small part of that little kid who used to be almost happy all the time.

There will come a time, when we who used to be kids, grow up and leave home. It takes time for the feeling of wanting to be home to fade away and for some people it really takes a challenge as home is where the heart is. It is also tough for me, but I crushed the feeling in my heart and moved on.

Home is warm and for me it will always be, I will always long for home, and soon I will have a home of my own with my family. I wanted to create a home where everyone living under the shelter feels the same way as I used to feel when I was a kid. That I will work hard for.

Late February : Working life

Figure 1: Plant running smooth.

These days I have been so busy, evaluating and creating solutions to various problems. Sometimes I forget what is the foremost important thing to be done. It is always best to take time away from normal working life and take a break. It doesn't matter how long or short, but the interval should be there.

I have been missing beautiful sunsets just to ensure that my workplace is running smooth and everything is in order. I believe it is worth it, but as work tends to reduce in number, I should delegate time to do other things which also relieves my stress.

For everything has its time, I think that the most important one is time for yourself and also family. Nothing last forever and we're only here today, we might not be tomorrow. But things which is still here and now, we must do our best to appreciate it.

January busy-ness: My E-day

Figure 1: Her family and me.

Figure 2: Her family father's side.

I finally have the time to open up my blog after being so super busy on the month of January. There are so many events that have happened which makes time pass by so fast that I don't even have time to rest for a while. Even missed a lot of lunches due to the busy-ness.

Figure 3: Me, her and the photographer.

However, one of the most heart-felt event that has happened during the busy month of January is my engagement day. I have been looking forward a lot for this time to happen and this time I am really serious about her, I told her, January, it has to be January. I want her to be a part of me, a part of my family.

Figure 4: My family and her.

She was so happy that I decided to rush it up, and I am so glad that I did. We have known each other for 5 years and that is a very very long time in a relationship. I guess that, one shouldn't take so long as 5 years to figure out that he or she is the right person for you.

Figure 5: My dad's family side.

So I decide to pull the trigger and take a step forward into bringing us together. Life is short and I know that it isn't worth waiting such a long time to be married to the one you really love. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me as I couldn't afford to have another one.

Figure 6: A simple engagement.

So ultimately, my main and true goal is to lose weight and get fit before my photography session which I plan to hold during the middle of the year. I hope to be able to achieve that through my cycling as well as able to smoothly plan financially and also mentally.

Figure 7: You and me.

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: 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: 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.

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.

Uncomfortable

Figure 1: Lone moon.

I am quite forgiving as a person. I can tolerate others when I am at work or outside but there's one matter which is very sensitive to me. I cannot tolerate living for a long time with other people who I am not close with and have habits which I dislike. Meaning to say, not my close family members or my spouse.

It is a behavior that has developed in me since I was small, I was encourage never to stay at other people's place, despite it being my friend's house. So it is natural for me, to stay home with my family as I have lived since I am small. When I entered university that is where the problems arises.

I cannot tolerate my room mates making noise when I am sleeping at night. I don't mind when its day time, but I really cannot stand it. So, my anger gets to my head and things came crashing without me realizing it. Next day, no one dared to make much noise when I sleep.

So, now that I am working, I do not want to live in a house sharing with other people. I dislike having to tolerate other's whom I am not acquainted in a home setting. I don't mind after stepping out of my home, but where I sleep, rest, and spent the rest of my time in privacy, I do not wished to be disturbed.

Running nose

Figure 1: After-math of the sunset.

Have been really busy these few weeks, preparing and coping with daily problems at the work place. It is really stressful for me, especially human handling but I have to live with it and do the best I can. So, today, I finally have decent time to capture the beautiful sunset.

This takes away the stress inside of me and give me hope for a better tomorrow. I am indeed blessed. I need to rest early, can't blog too much. Too tired and weak as I have contracted winter cold. My nose is runny and I keep on sneezing. Good night.

Figure 2: Perfect sunset after weeks.

Mundane

It's been quite an eventful week for me, filled with work and un-pleasantries. It is quite challenging for me, especially when dealing with people. It is really tiresome when you have to blast out all your energy just to get disappointed at and blamed.

I am feeling the stress and heat especially as I am the person squeezed in between. It really feels being squeezed and mushed in a large pressure cooker. Well, at least I managed to live it up for the past week. I really appreciate the weekends.

I need to find something to color up my life. Maybe this isn't my passion and not the field that I want to progress in. Or maybe it is the culture of the workplace that is dragging me down everyday. I need to invest in my passions. Sooner or later.

Figure 1: It's been so dull.

Again

Figure 1: One day, she will come.

Once again, I want to talk about patience. Is there a significant benefit to be patient and wait on something which is likely or not likely to happen? It all depends on your perspective and attitude. For me, if it is worth it and once in a lifetime opportunity, then why not wait for it.

Patience is a virtue, as stated by a lot of wise men. However, patience doesn't mean just waiting for it to come without self doing anything. Well, if you're waiting patiently for that opportunity but am being idle, that is indeed a waste of time and energy.

You may be waiting for that special someone, or a better opportunity else where, so this is where you can do some research and try experimenting with something new. Who knows what may come, so best be prepared for it rather than be in a state of shock.

With that amount of time spent, you can do your best at your current situation while waiting for that opportunity to come. By the time the opportunity comes, you are ready and in your best state to grab it and surge forward in life. Patience is the essence of success. 

Figure 2: Sometimes it is worth it, sometimes not.

Night sky

It's raining today, droplets poured and I missed out a very beautiful sunset because I have leg cramps. Oh well, I am complaining so much despite being lazy to actually get out and grab the shot. However, last night I was out cycling and the skies are so beautiful and clear.

Figure 1: Starry night.

I could just scream out loud and hope that my sound-waves reaches the skies but I know that will be just in vain. Just looking up into the skies makes me psyched and feeling excited despite my legs pushing its limits. I am heavy and cycling in the cold dark night is new to me.

Figure 2: The clouds engulfing the skies.

43 kilometers of road rage and finally I'm home, that's about 3 hours of cycling and the time ticks at 0030 early morn. I think I have my calling and I enjoyed this sport of mine. For the sake of excitement and exercise, I declare that I just love cycling at night.

Environment

Figure 1: Bottled sunset.

Our world is getting more and more polluted as time passes by. Trees are getting chopped down one after another to house human modernization. Stress at work is getting worse due to the selfishness of man, wanting more than what is already been provided.

Once, God gave a huge responsibility to mankind, to take care of the earth and toil its soil in order to sustain. However, the opposite happened and now, due to greed, most of the world's precious resources is now been harvested. One day, it will all be gone.

Just like the platypus, just like the javanese rhinoceros, all will be extinct and rare. Even though, its just one bottle, bottles will never degrade up to like 400-500 years. Marine life can get killed by all those plastic bags and strings. 

Still, it hurts just to think about it and unable to do anything much.

Reddishness

Figure 1: Horizon stretched in red.

Checkered clouds, just leaving the horizon, leaving a red tinge of red. It's December now, and the storm clouds are everywhere, times to capture the glorious sunset is getting rarer each day. I want to do something different soon and very soon, to go forward and pursue my passions. 

Jump!!!

When I first learn to jump, I was so excited that I jumped the whole day, I was so excited at the fact that  I can reach up further. Then there's that feeling when you're lifted from the ground for that short moment of time. Almost feel like you're flying.

I haven't been jumping much now, I guess I have lost the thrill. Still I find that by jumping you're training your legs muscle and it is actually beneficial to jump. It is quite tiring exercise as you are exerting your muscles to lift your whole body up into the air.

Above are a few images of friends enjoying their jump, while I enjoy looking at their expressions, jumping with joy not only stimulates your muscles but also pumps in those good positive energy inside your body, which I believe can reduce stress and is a form of pain reliever for those suffering pain in the inside.

So jump, be the best you can be and shine. Life is full of challenges that can bring you down and make you so sad that you refuse to be happy. Why not put that extra effort to jump, scream and release all that tension inside of you. Life is a beautiful walk, especially with God by your side.

Respect the elderly

Figure 1: Family is important.

It is well known in my culture that we must always respect the elderly especially our parents. Since small, we are taught to respect and serve, but this culture is slowly diminishing as our country gets more and more modernized.

When I was growing up, I was a very rebellious teen who always disagrees with what my parents have to say. Recklessly, I always followed my own decision and I learned it the hard way. So it is always the best to follow those who have lived longer than you do.

I talked to my department's secretary and she expressed her fear of being sent to the old folks home when she gets older. She even tells me her experience going to an old folks home. An old woman at the old folks home has all the pictures of her successful children and tell great tales about them. But the secretary says, "where are your children now, when you needed them the most".

I've always kept this to myself, If I ever grow old, I hope that I will be healthy and prefer not to be a burden to others. If I am sick mentally or physically, I prefer a quick path to my long rest so that I will not be sent away to some crazy loco facility.

Despite everything, respect the elders, and our parents. They have cared for us since we're small and now its our turn to do our best for them, they may turn into babies and sometimes forgetful that we have to repeat again and again, but remember the times when we're just babies.

Figure 2: Despite the strife, respect them.

Little blessings

Figure 1: Crystal droplets.

The little things that we pass by every single day are the ones we always missed out. At least I did, I always missed those spectacular sunsets which people care less about. I am so focused on living a life that I just bypassed all those tiny things which are just working their best to get noticed.

We tend to focus on big things with high expectations only to be sad because we couldn't achieve it. We fail to see the little blessings which is given daily by God. It is human nature to want things even though we have enough. Sometimes it is the little things that we have that can make us happy.

I don't know what's the fuss about getting expensive trinkets and following latest trend. If this fever catches you, you will never know when to stop. Especially when what we have is enough but we do not appreciate it. We are considered very fortunate and only if we take time to realize this will make us more happier.

So look closely and try to appreciate every little blessing in life. It is through little things we can learn to be happy and appreciate. Doing this doesn't mean you're complacent with the state you're in, but it means that for everything you work hard for, you take time to enjoy it. God bless.

Figure 2: The ladybird.