Putrajaya Botanical Garden (2nd Photo Walk for me)

After a hiatus from blogging, i have returned, somewhat slow to update, anyways... i went to the Putrajaya Botanical Garden with Alvin and Eric to do some shots and to see how i have progressed. Still slow to change and adapt to the Aperture and Shutter speed, but i'm getting there...i think.



Taman Botani Putrajaya features exotic tropical plants from different regions around the world set on 230 acres. There are about 700 species from more than 90 countries on display. I mean there are a lots of plants and not to mention mozzies to boot.



You need a good pair of walking shoes, and unlike the normal person, Eric decides to use Crocs Flip Flops and suffered at the end of the day :P I like the Canopy Trail, it gives me a somewhat serene feeling when i am high up near the tree tops. I am sharing shots with Alvin and Eric, both whom are using Nikkons D90 and D300 respectively. Me, i am using a Alpha 200 from Sony. I wanna compile a small book on the shots i have completed for a mini coffee table book for our new home.



I am most likely embarking on a family portrait shots for my own but more on that later.

So i was there at around 9 to 9:30, previous photo walk team mate Jessie couldn't make it, she had a to do a "Chicken Run" for the Winter Solstice celebration i think or a.k.a "Tong Yuen" Festival.

That left me, Eric and Alvin (Who was at the immigration in Putrajaya at the time but managed to join us)



Its a weird place to me because it is practically empty, i mean the scenery is all nice from the get go, but the place is like literally dead. Me and Eric were the only cars parked there in the morning, i guess its really early.

Later in the day there were some kids and family who were renting the bicycles to ride around the are.

Fees wise, its very contradicting, the guards saw us with our DSLRs and query if we were doing "Commercial" shots. Of course i'd say "No...", and we had to then seek advice from the Information Counter, the lady was nice enough to let us in without any fees, for the love of god, it'd be RM 100 / per hour for photo shoots around the whole garden, madness !

Food is also scarce in the area, no water dispensers, no small cafes, no food stalls, they only have a Tai Thong Putrajaya Seafood restaurant there (The food was great) but you need to fork out since they don't have ala carte meals.


We walked a lot though, the main attraction for me was the Moroccan Pavilion, which fortunately we could take shots externally but not in the main hall where we had to buy separate tickets for entry. I had the pass to take pictures but not to go in, we had to pay separately for access to that part of the building. Take a look at my shots below :-





I guess i need to take more shots to learn more on photography, i do however realize that i prefer to take objects rather than landscapes as i think i dun have an eye for landscapes though or it does not interest me in a way. I prefer to take people and objects which i think holds some interest to me.

Battery Grip

One thing about owning a Sony Alpha is the size of the original grip. For the price i got it for i can't complain for an entry level DSLR with twin lens kit.

But for a gorilla paw like mine, it leaves the ring and pinky finger hanging loose. So there i was surfing around Alphanatics and Lowyat when i stumble upon a 3rd party brand Phottix which carries the battery grip alternative to the Sony original.

More than half the price with an additional battery thrown in.






As you can see from above, its quite substantial now....so i can hold it easily now. But with the Flash Pack and all it can be quite heavy later.

You can google the stie at http://www.phottix.com/ it does have alot of cool gadgets for newbie photographers like me.

Then again its not the equipment that maketh the picture but the person taking it....

Well onwards on my journey as a newbie photographer.

Hehehe..

Photo Walk : Taman Pertanian Malaysia a.ka. Bukit Cahaya a.k.a Bukit Cherakah....which wan is which la....

** Pictures are available at www.flickr.com/jeisern **

I went to the Taman Pertanian Malaysia in Shah Alam on Wednesday morning to exercise, with a bicycle trek and also to hone my DSLR skills.

I went with a senior colleague of mine who share the same DSLR interests. We have been planning for sometime to do a "Photo-walk" on a park of some sorts, but could not decide on the day, date and time as we work on shifts.

On Tuesday my significant other went for a business trip so i quickly made plans for this short excursion. At first we set our eyes on FRIM, but given the time and preparation, we decided on Taman Pertanian Malaysia.

Well we started out at 9 am and entered the main entrance, RM 3.00 for adult and RM 1.00 for kids. We then started up the track on the left towards the fruits orchard, cactus farm and a few jungle tracks. We saw a bicycle rental service, we decided to rent bikes, but much to our chargrins, a few young kids were there earlier and were taking the best of the bunch (Later much to our dismay we found out that there was a nother competing shop next door which opened later and had better choices of bicycles....i was scowling by then).

This was kind of like my first photowalk, so i did the most naive of things, carry everything for my DSLR via the knapsack. BIG MISTAKE ! I feel like a mini trooper running with full load. The bike i chose was noisy as hell, creaking here and there....sigh, what can you do with a locally assembled bike with not much of a QC. It held together surprisingly, which was bad for my arse as it was rigid as hell......the seat was designed weirdly. By the end of my the ride i had a sore arse and killer aches on my calves and back.

I guess we were quite ambitious, no prior stamina training and off we went. At the first corner we were already winded. Stopped to rest for awhile as we had to go uphill, i just realize that i ain't as lithe as i was when i was a teenager...hahaha took me that long to figure that out eh ? With the full load on my back, including a tripod mind you, i could hardly move the bike up the hill. Even with a rolling start, there's only so much i can pedal uphill. So we had to push the bikes up hill and ride them down....ONLY TO REALIZE that is one way in and the same way OUT.

We spend 2 1/2 hours in the left part of the park and could not take it already. The noon sun was up high and we were practically roasting. The cactus farm was the last toll, with the bright scorching sun out, the place practically made us feel like we were in a desert, save for the dribbling stream.

Some horsing around taking shots here and there and then we headed back to the car park. IT WAS PURE TORTURE TO GO BACK, since we were down on stamina and low on hydration....had to stop a few times in between to pace our selves.

But we made it out, we did not even get to visit the 4 Season Room as we were practically worn out. The administrator at the place said it was spring anyway, i'd give anything if we could flip the switch to winter man that day it self.

All in all it was a good exercise, my wife now wants to go there instead,maybe this time i will go to other end instead as the left lane was a killer, i found out later in some of the pictures taken the trail was approximately 8 km, if i am not mistaken.

Along the way....we met the kids who were choosing the bikes earlier and man, as my senior said, zero fats on them. You can see them frolicking on the bikes and basically full of zest.

Made me feel DAMN FRICKING OLD ! hahahaha....

p/s : Thanks Jessie, lets go to FRIM for the next round. Bawak more water and less "KAR CHANG" for the DSLR....

Sold !

I finally got news that my MPV was sold. It's been a thorn in my side for about 3 to 4 months. I can tell the full story now.

I approached a Perodua showroom in Sri Petaling to get rid of my car on the pretense of getting a Myvi. They promise to dispose of my car ASAP (which was a lie - due to an very unscrupulous used car dealer in Ampang). Well the reason why i sold the car was coz i lost confidence in it.

It rain one day and it was pouring. Apparently the neighbourhood where we live had loads of rats living in the gutter/drains. The rain flooded the drains and them rats infested my brand new mpv for shelter. They either grew hungry or their instinct was to chew all the wirings in my car.

End result is :-

1. Car needs to be towed
2. Wiring harness costs RM 7000.00 to replace (Not an option to me)
3. Splice and reconnect job costs RM 1800.00
4. Tow plus shortcut job costs RM 2000.00 ++

So i reconnect the wires and the car has some shudders as the mech says that the ECU could be affected. The air cond compressor gives a squeak here and there akin to a rat squeak. Very traumatizing to drive.

So.....sell it. (This was in Decemeber), car was handed to the used car (a big no no but i was desperate and i had a bill of sale as proof) in January only to be sold in May. Delay after delays gave me a huge head ache and worry. Then it was settled after constant pestering on my part and i got the end result.

A call to the finance company said i was clear....

Debt free...finally.

100 Days

A hundred days have passed by after the passing of my father. Funny how time will ease the loss of a love one to an ache. It never goes away but i kinda feel weird that my dad is no longer around.

You watch this scene so many times in television dramas, to movies, and even when it happens to your friends. But you never thought that this could happen to you.

I feel his presence every time i go home to my parents home, and i can feel but a quarter of the loneliness my mom feels. It makes you fee very very mortal and you start to want to appreciate the people and family around you more.

I could never imagine if i lost my spouse and i dunno if i can ride it through, but then we humans normally do. Humans have the capacity to change or evolve at the height of danger, panic or fear.

Everywhere i go i see my dad and the stamp he has left behind amongst his peers and normal hangouts.

I took over the club membership he had, which was a place where i grew up during my childhood. It brings back many memories of the time my parents and us siblings spent there. It stirs the ache in my heart to feel these memories coming along in a rush. Its especially stronger when i walk alone along the corridors of the club.

I miss you dad and i hope you're happy wherever you are. We all miss you and mom misses you the most.

No worries, i'll take good care of her, you have my word as a man and as your son.

Iphone coming to Malaysia

It was officially released in Maxis's site that the Iphone is coming to Malaysia.
Funny thing is, i think its not that worth it just to get a slice of the latest apple phone.

Maybe i can ride on the fame and once its available in Malaysia then i can get a official
iphone from a Malayisan shop with warranty.

Who knows...

But what i know is the package ain't cheap man !

The Star's excerpt.

www.maxis.com.my/iphone

The Apple Mighty Mouse

I just got me self a ... MIGHTY MOUSE !

Apple has the tendency to come up with really slick names for its products. I have to say, that lots of people may not like it, but the truth be told, the names sticks in your head for some reason.

Apple iMac, iPhone, iPod and the list goes on.

Now on the rodent.....its really slick in terms of design but i prefer if i could have gotten it in Black.





The Apple Mighty Mouse link <---- Check it out !

Its really nice to hold and takes some time to get use to as reviewed by AnandTech. The scroll ball is like a mini track ball with Y and X axis and takes some getting use too.

No gaming though as this is a more leisurely or some may say eye candy/pleasing mouse.

Great stuff...

Life, Religion and What's in store for me . . .

I've just went through some hard time with my family....i dun think its bad luck, i think life is filled with a lot of trials and a lot of tribulations. Some may say "God has plans for you Jason", or "Bad luck bro...", but you know what i think ?, i am just gonna just shrug it off and look ahead more.

With my father passing on and some other minor issues causing me some worry, i think i just have to get in touch more with my self, my religion and maybe with my family.

It just came into mind that i was born and was brought up in a Buddhist religion. I don't think my self of being religious. But lately, i have been doing some thinking, as a "Buddhist", pardon the inverted commas, as i think i do not qualify as being a proper devotee, as i don't even know the proper days to associate the prayers. I never go to temples unless forced by parents, and i think like most people when horrible luck befalls a person, then they look to God or heaven for that matter to "Pray" for something or say "Why me ?"

During my early working years, my Catholic friends took me cell group hopping. Through that i experienced a lot of different perceptions on the differing Christian Denominations. It's kind of hard to explain but very interesting to see each different beliefs being laid out before you. The cell group i went to were a few, and some of the churches i went to were also very interesting like FGA, where their worship style is charismatic.

But most of the time, my experiences with Christianity is based mostly with Roman Catholicism. I was bribed into going to CHOICE by a good and great friend named Thomas and his then girlfriend Joanna, whom eventually became his wife (Another great couple by the way). Bribed with what you say ? Well, Joanna makes the best dang cookies you ever tasted and anyway there i was attending the getaway with another friend Justin.

The CHOICE experience is a very enlightening one, take it from me, as i am talking from a non-catholic perspective. I also cannot reveal what goes on as it is part of their disclosure agreement.

http://www.choicekl.org/aboutus_Malaysia.html

I met my wife after CHOICE at Thomas and Joana's wedding. I married my wife who is a Catholic, and i promised my Mother-in-law that i would spend 1 hour of my life weekly to accompany my wife to Church if i am able to. With that said, i have spent much time going to church, be it at HRC, CDM or in Melaka.

I noticed that they preach a lot about one being a true to God. A true Christian is not someone who goes to Church every week and goes through the normal motions of the mass, and then go home. I do know that ever since i have gone to church, i am seeing a lot of things about religion from a different perspective. I am not a Catholic, or i don't think i can just convert just like that (more on this later), and by being non-catholic and attending Church for nearly 3 years, i feel somewhat enlightened by their worship of God.

My parents in law are Catholic converts and i noticed that their faith are more pronounced when compared to most people. I was asked by my mother in law why do i not consider converting. I did some thinking and i felt weird. I was born a Buddhist and i feel kind of like traitor if i were to just up and convert. People say that converts usually have a life changing experience which would make them seek out their inner self in regards to religion. To me, i think i would feel guilty just thinking about converting. I am asking my self, why do you want to embrace Christianity ? Some are born into it therefore, continue their religion, what of converts ?, what makes them want to convert ? How is one exposed to this revelation ? I wonder . . .

Again, there are the normal issues which are found in many religion, but after much thought this is usually due to how one perceive the best way one should conduct their religion. Again, one man's meat may be poison to another.

In all, i love most is the sharing that goes on in a Catholic's world, there are truly good hearted or good natured people. My wife is one such person, to me, i think she is one of the most soft spoken and good natured person ( Plus she does not know where i blog or forgotten how to access it, so i can praise her here without letting her head grow with pride :P ) of which i have met.

Later i met a couple who eventually became our daughter's Godparents, and they are almost as good natured as my wife or even better. I mean no tempers, soft spoken and ready to talk to you in the most pleasant way possible.

Anyway, this has affected me in many ways, i feel not that bad when i help someone without expecting something in return. Don't lie, if you're saying to your self, that's what i always do. Everyone expects something when doing something for someone, its habit. There's no free lunch right ? In my wife and my daughter's Godparents, they REALLY do not expect anything.

It sometimes makes me feel ashame of my self, and i was thinking to my self what was the word that can best describe people like this and i found it. It's Sanctify. This reminded me of E.E or Evening for the Engaged, of which i attended before my wedding as it is compulsory. The pastor did remind us to be a sanctifying couple.

Here is an excerpt from the Wikipedia :-

Roman Catholicism

Sanctity according to the Catholic encyclopedia:

The term “sanctity” is employed in somewhat different senses in relation to God, to individual men, and to a corporate body. As applied to God it denotes the absolute moralgift. As used of a society, the term means perfection which is His by nature. In regard to men it signifies a close union with God, together with the moral perfection resulting from this union. Hence holiness is said to belong to God by essence, and to creatures only by participation. Whatever sanctity they possess comes to them as a Divine

• that this society aims at producing holiness in its members, and is possessed of means capable of securing that result, and

• that the lives of its members correspond, at least in some measure, with the purpose of the society, and display a real, not a merely nominal holiness.

It is further manifested that the Church's holiness must be of an entirely supernatural character —— something altogether beyond the power of unassisted human nature.

• Another characteristic of holiness according to the Christian ideal is love of suffering; not as though pleasure were evil in itself, but because suffering is the great means by which our love of God is intensified and purified. All those who have attained a high degree of holiness have learnt [sic] to rejoice in suffering, because by it their love to God was freed from every element of self-seeking, and their lives conformed to that of their Master.

I know that lately, i have been trying to live up to this, but its just very hard since with all the things happening around me, it's kind of depressing. A lot of people can fall back on their religion like a place to weep, so they say or place of solace. I've never been exposed in such way in Buddhism, although i think they have their equivalent.

With my father passing on, my wife having a miscarriage and also all the little things, it has really put a dent on my emotions and concentration on life and work. I feel very drained lately, emotionally and also mentally, with all the process i needed to do to assist the smooth passing of my father,
and to also console my mother. It's great that i have a great sister, wife, family and friends watching my back. But in the end, it all boils down to me. How should i take this and how shall i face the world to come in the following years. I've got to learn how to accept a lot of things in life and adversities that one must face. But by jove, its hard !


One things for sure, i know whatever i do and wherever i'll be doing, dad will be watching me from above.

Left 4 Dead

My good friends Allen and hi cousin Yen Lung, organized another LAN party at
a local Cyber Cafe called TBUN near Aman Suria, PJ.

There was a rave on the game called Left 4 Dead which was highly ranked in PC Gamer.

Long story cut short, 4 peeps, lots of guns and ammo, and TONNES of Zombies. This is superb i tell ya !


The graphics is quite intense and would put a dent in your GPU's processing, but if its not running full steam, you ain't getting the full affect.



Looking at the screenshots, WYSIWYG, its that good. The action is fast paced and also quite reasonable in terms of physics as well.

Friendly fire is a bitch but hey! Nothings perfect. All in all i really enjoyed the 4 hours gameplay we had.

Maybe i should get an XBOX 360......sigh !

Rims galore

I live in Klang so sometimes i go around the tyre shop to view the latest designs in rims, both replicas and original (if u can find them ehehe)

Enjoy !

The passing of my dad....

My dad passed away on the 7th of January 2009. It was very heart wrenching to see him go before your eyes. He looked so weak...

As they say...its best that the white hair does not send the black hair ahead of them, and although its him who goes before us, it was still a very sad event for my family.

On Saturday we had to prepare prayers for him and also i had to go to the church and also had my wife pray for my family.

On Sunday morning we went to pray and pay our respects to my dad at his final resting place in Kg. Tunku's Guan Yin Crematorium/Cemetery. I chose the place for the ease of access for my mother. She had wanted to lay him to rest in Nilai, but i thought it too far for her to visit him.

We laid out his favourite food for him and also had a short chat with him. I guess i did the best i could as a son, i gave him a grandchild and made him as happy / contented as i can. The place is quite picturesque, but i am not allowed to take pictures there my daughter even said she sees a giraffe in the sky made out of clouds...imagine that ! She's not even two yet...

Its tough coz its also Chinese New Year at the same time. I cannot wish anyone or celebrate the occasion...i cannot also visit friends or any house with sickly elders for fear of affecting them.

Its the first year for my mother to not cook dad's favorite dishes, mom reflects alot these days....

I hope she can cope well as time goes by...we can never forget him as a dad,husband and loved one. But we can think of the better times and memmories we had of him.

Dad....rest in peace...i'll try to feel the void you left and i know it ain't gonna be easy.

Jason Yap (your son)