There was a full moon on new year's eve, when I finally got my tripod and camera config all setup the clouds started to obscure the moon. I took 40 plus shots of the moon but I reckon this is one of the better ones. The moon seems to be surrounded by an inner ring of blue...I think I may need to budget for a better tripod and a remote shutter release...and if the finance minister allows...a 300mm zoom lens haha.

Some Random Pictures

Its been a pretty hectic week and I have not had the chance to play with the D90 much. Anyway we decided to go out for a drive around town this morning with the intention of doing some Christmas shopping, but we spent most our time stuck in the car due to the traffic congestion...anyway here are some random pics that I took today with some comments added in to give you a sense of where I took the pictures and what was going through my mind when I took them.

Took this in Bangsar, which is a high end neighborhood. However I was surprised to find that there is a block of low cost flats behind the Maybank building. I suppose the condition of the flag (torn and dirty) symbolizes the general condition of the flats and its surrounding area. Its quite sad to see that no one bothered to up keep the general surroundings, but it was sadder to see that the symbol of your country is in such a poor state...I suppose it reflects the general mood of the country at the moment?

I managed to get a quick shot of Victor while he was patiently waiting for the adults to get ready. He was in such a contemplative mood. Probably wondering where we would be taking him today.

Anthony insist that he has to have a camera as well so I gave him my Canon Powershot that I bought many many moons ago. He has been happily snapping away on the camera. I suppose in 10 years time he would want his own DSLR...it would give me a very good excuse to upgrade haha. I am going to encourage him, it will be a good platform for me and him to get closer. Father and son bonding thing...if you get what I mean.

After being stuck in traffic for most of the morning, we decided to have chicken rice at Jalan Gasing. Expensive but totally worth it.

Anyway, I am looking forward to tomorrow...am going to try my hand at taking some pictures of the Christmas decorations.

It That Time of Year Again: Up Goes The Christmas Tree

With Christmas just round the corner its that time of the year again where the tree has to come up. So after completing the grocery shopping at the night market and after a sumptuous meal of Nasi Lemak we decided to put up the Christmas tree. Oh by the way, you might have noticed that the quality of pictures have drastically improved...the pictures taken are from my Nikon D90.

Anthony as usual was super excited. He has been bugging us the whole day..."when are we putting up the tree?? huh? huh?". When Cleo went searching for the tree in the store room Anthony could not help himself from jumping up and down as well as starting to chant "we are putting up the Christmas tree...we are putting up the Christmas tree"



Victor as seen here is also excited. I don't really know whether he knows the significance of Christmas yet, but as it is his first Christmas as a 1 year old he was super excited and started to walk all over the place while waving his small flag.

While Cleo and Anthony were busy unpacking the tree, Victor was practicing his walking. He can walk now albeit still unsteady. At one point yesterday evening he fell while trying to walk and I managed to capture it with a continuous shutter burst of 3 frames. Ahhh the beauty of having a Dslr...my point and shoot would not have been able to capture it.

Once the tree was unpacked, Anthony could not wait to put up the decorations. Victor was somehow fascinated with the tree.

Two good looking toddlers in Putra Heights...and some say in the entire USJ too...*wink* *wink*

Merry Christmas... 2010 here we come...

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Breakfast at the Gardens..

Marble cheese cake and Espresso Dopio...perfect
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The Lost Smybol...

Been waiting for it to be released for more than a year...had to que..had squeeze my way through...its worth it...first page already suspense
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Tony Romas Burger

The best burger that I have ever had...
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My Dream

In 1985 or was it 1986 I saw Hailey's Comet. I can still remember peering into the eye piece of the Celestron as well as looking at the comet through a pair of binoculars. When I was told that it will return in 2086, I made a promise to myself that I will take pictures of it. I love astronomy...not the technical side of it. I know my constellations pretty well. My dream is to own a good DSLR and a Celestron telescope to take pictures of the moon, planets, galaxies...and if I am still alive in 2086 take pictures of Hailey's Comet...that is a dream that I hope I can fulfil.
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Oliver Jiat Siang D'Souza

Welcome to the world little nephew...
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BBQ Prawns

Mmmmm niceee
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Pot luck gathering

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National Day Eve BBQ

We decided to have a get together among friends to celebrate the Merdeka (Malaysian Independence day).

We invited about 20 people...friends plus some of our colleagues. As usual preparation of the food started from early in the morning. Starting with the marketing then the marinating. The menu consisted of:

1. Fresh portobello mushrooms stuffed with cheddar cheese, cheery tomatoes and wrapped with streaky bacon.
2. Pork Ribs marinated with smokey bbq sauce and chilly.
3. Yong Tau Foo (bean curd stuffed with mince pork).
4. Fresh Prawns without any marination (so as to appreciate the natural sweetness of the prawns)
   
5. Squid marinated with a pinch of salt and pepper.
6. Lamb Chops marinated with black pepper sauce.
7. Pork Stay marinated with my mom's minced chilly and tumeric.
8. Fried bee hoon (rice noodles)
9. Fried garlic rice
10. Jelly (courtesy of Lisa)
11. Chicken Wings marinated with BBQ Sauce and honey.
12. Green Salad.
13. Ice Cream and Soft Drinks (Courtesy of Chris)
14. A bottle of Dimples 15 years old (Courtesy of Kar Wai)
    

Of course not to forget the beer...courtesy of Kevin.





Of course before the guest arrived we started the cooking first...




of course being the VVIP, Victor had to be fed first prior to the arrival of our guests...

We even had an official photographer for the event...He is a very low profile but highly in demand professional...if you need him to cover your event drop me a line and I will hook you up...by the way, the pics taken here are from my "point and shoot" Nikon compact digital cam and not from a DSLR...just in case if you are wondering *wink*




Of course after awhile we took turns BBQ'ing...I was getting hungry and thirsty (for beer heheh)...also had some business discussions going on at the same time...




The Kids of course enjoyed themselves...by the time Fong Fong slept it was around 1230am....wayyyyyyy past his bedtime.

The adults also enjoyed the night...

One Group outside eating and drinking the night away...
The other group gambling the night away haha...

Oh yah....Anthony now has a good friend...they were together all night...in the pics above they were trying to plant somethings...don't ask me what...as when I enquired of Anthony "what are you doing?" he replied "I am planting something" haha...HAPPY MERDEKA FOLKS AND THANKS FOR COMING!!!

Is this the Malaysia that we want?

I am saddened...no strike that...SICK of narrow minded individuals or groups who still live in the dark ages. Today's paper highlighted the protest of a group of 50 muslims who is against the relocation of a Hindu temple to seksyen 23 Shah Alam. What was the reason given? 80% of seksyen 23 Shah Alam are Muslims...what kind of mentality is that? Malaysia is getting all kinds of publicity...the wrong kind of publicity...sigh. Check out www.jeffooi.com for the video of the protest or just google it on youtube. Malaysia memang boleh...sigh.
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Sign of the times

While their parents man the fish stall, the kids play their psp...its amazing that the kids know how to link their psp via adhoc wifi for multiplayer.
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PAS Protest MLTR Concert

I don't understand. Why waste energy and resources to mobilise a protest? Why? Nothing better to do is it? I am Kelantanese and am proud to say that I supported them during the election because, despite being a non-muslim, PAS has done a wonderful job in Governing my home state. But this latest incident is too much...for goodness sake mobilise your resources to organise other events...THIS IS NOT HELPING PAS...YOU ARE JUST ALIENATING the Malaysian Youths who might not vote for you come the next GE.
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GI JOE

Movie day...let's hope its as good as the trailer...
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Race-Free Form

Today's Star headlines the statement made by the DPM that Malaysians will no longer need to state their race in official forms soon. ABOUT TIME!!!! As a Malaysian I am pissed off that every time I fill up a Government form I need to indicate my race. For goodness sake why indicate your race? The reason for the change in policy is due to the PM's vision of 1Malaysia...which by the way my dear PM is not new. Just visit Kelantan (my home state) and you will see the 'muhibah-ness' of Kelantanese. All races are one...in my opinion Kelantan is the ultimate example of racial unity...1Malaysia? Come on...this concept is nothing new.
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BN Fielding Disbarred Lawyer

I am shocked...ok let's be honest..I am disgusted at the Barisan Nasional for fielding a candidate in the Permatang Pasir by election that has been disbarred by the Malaysian Bar for misconduct. The candidate in question, was found guilty for failure of refunding RM161K. I have always thought that prospective candidates must be clean...ok...granted everyone is human...but come on, who would want to have an elected official that has been tainted? No matter how the BN spins it, the candidate was found guilty. I find the statement released by BN stating that the Bar Council's action is "just an action taken by a group responsible for its members' discipline" ridiculous...come on..don't the BN conduct background checks on their potential canditates before announcing the candidacy?...please don't mistake me for supporting the opposition. I am apolitical. I don't support any particular party.
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Cleo's Home Made Hakka Pan Mee

Tasted not bad...although forgot the mushrooms haha...next week.
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1st Runner Up Salcon Bowling Tournament

Cleo came in second..her envelope was marked Fisrt Male Runner Up hahah...
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