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.

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.