Life's crawling faster and faster...

One of the 100 tasks to do during Amazing Race.




A picture with a wedding couple.

UPs :)

2 hours of sleep... but so far so interesting.
:)

If I don't write anything down now I won't have time to do it again in future....
so a short one before I go in for my next CAC camp :)

• In Camp Training was superb. It feels like I just ORDed yesterday.
  
• Had lots of fun seeing all these people after 2 and a 1/2 years.
• It's been more than 1 army cycle, we can't recall most of our artillery knowledge.
• I didn't expect myself to recall that fast that it wow-ed myself.
  
• Status of a Old bird (NS Men) was great. Cutting across parade square and not wearing beret or jockey cap on our head.
  
• I took the IPPT. The first one was in the rain. Didn't put in full effort as I had to leave behind energy for the 2 days 1 night outfield the following day. The 2nd one was after the outfield. The results was above my expected "cui" tired out expectations. Am 6 seconds slower than my expectation but look on the bright side, I improved 40 seconds :)
• I am planning to go for my 3rd and last IPPT 1 month after all my camps.
  
• As predicted, the Letter of Authorization for my camera never came, even when I applied for it on the first day.
• And as I have predicted, I took pictures even when I don't have a LOA. Ended up with loads of pictures for everyone in my battery. (battery = platoon of soldiers in Artillery)
• I hope everyone treasures the memories and look forward to the next ICT... I bet they will :)

The whistle lanyard on my uniform.


This whistle is a gunner's pride, only a gunner wears it.
When I tried to put it on, it actually took me 5 min to trial and error, to recall where it should be hung from -_-" (no pride liao :P)

But putting the pride thing aside, along with it holds all the fun and craPpy memories, which I will never forget.

Ok, end here. Guess I over reflected again.

And now, I am still thinking whether to "book in" for the next camp tonight.
They have all planned to gather first, or we'll have to be in school at 7.30am tomorrow (Mon).

I wonder how come I am more resistance towards booking in this camp compared to the last one....

Is it because the previous one was a "gathering" while I can't wait to ORD for this coming one?

Or maybe I am just tired -_-"

hai.. nevermind, I don't feel like thinking about it.

My Auntie sms me before not long ago.....
"Just be happy. When you are happy lots of other people are. =)"

Okay... whose the "lots" -_-
Of course I will try to be happy no matter what.....
but at least, I think I will have to get the work off first before I can be really happy again....
And I have reflected a bit too much again.....

Ok I need to go reply the 4 smses now -_-"

It was a great gathering with the people. the Sergeants booked in today first. had fun playing the with the big guns, and we appear to be noobs in the weapon we specialise in 2 and a half years back haha :P

and again, i am going to be the only person in the battery (platoon) to be able to take picture in an army camp hahaha!

They say that in the Army
The food is very nice.
When you open the rice box
No Tao Gey and No Rice.

I don't want to lead an army life.
I just want to lead a simple life.
BC can let me go.
OC don't let me go.
Mama I want to go Ho Oo Ome ah....



............
It's gonna be a fun camp.

5 more days to book out day, book out boOk out Day HEY~!!

Today itself, I had two "on the day" planned meetup sessions.

First, it was with my Wushu P&P partner. She is from China, and I haven't met her before, and we have to come up with a design for our Wushu Banner and Flyer for the coming Open House already.

Going to keep it short for myself to note.

This human is rather interesting; the way she say things, felt like me, but in "Chinese Edition". Going to analyse this person in greater detail buahahaha! (like some mad scientist -_-")

But the important thing is that, it looks like she'll be easy to work with, that's good :)

2nd thing: My boss needs help, so he ask me over to help him in the studio.
I stayed 2 hours there.
And I was paid $8/hr plus a $4 "round up" bonus. $20!!
And that's not the coolest thing yet...
I did my "personal work" using my laptop......
and when there's a need to help him "arrange the customers" for the photo shoot, I am there.
for just working 30 mins.
Only :P

And I finished my own P&P work and get paid as well!

I guess my boss must have "heard" my need for money and decided to help me too :)
Basically, throughout my time there, if he can settle the work alone, he will tell me to go back to "my work". Glad to know that someone is "appreciating" my effort to come down to help him, and he's doing whatever he can to show his "appreciation" as well :)

Anyway, the freshie collection is letting me work FULL DAY free of charge for FOC.....
Ok to keep it short....
It's really a hair pulling period.

乌龟的 la.....
And I still have to prepare for next week's In Camp Training and the best thing is that there's a IPPT (fitness) test on the 2nd day. And at my Max Current Power.... I am still 45 seconds away from my target 2.4km timing.... cui liao loh.....

Ok whatever....
anyway, I gave myself a "holiday" while my handphone is busy ringing my pants off still.

Yesterday, I went out to walk with my "wife"!
Now to test the "night" shoot.
It's good-ed :)

The plan was to deliver some stupid convocation booklet to some stupidier shop (ya I hope that boss knows that I call him that). Then since I will be at that area already, I brought my wife out as well to have a romantic nights' out.

And shooting at night doesn't requires a "tripod"!!
(that's ultra cOoL becuase my wife's really cool hahaha :P)

First, I met my my FOC friend at Vivo to get some stuff so I can do some delivery work.

Then later, I walk a bit, then off to some other place at night, for delivey.
After delivery, it's "romantic" timeEE! took out my wife haha :)

And all I see is couples here and there....
And to make it a really romantic night, I walk with my wife from Raffles Place all the way to City Hall.
(and cool! I didn't know it's linked that way cos I just "anyhow" walk! Now I know :P)

I selected 11 pictures :)

I like this cute Polar Bear in "National Geographics" shop.



Then I started to see "double".



Then I really really see many more doubles :P




Friends....



And this one is interesting.



I call this the "Before, In between, After".

Before: The double on the right
("night scenery is quite nice" stage)

In a relation: on the left
(although there's nothing to see, all I want to see is you)

After: The Centre walking couple
(Is there anything to see.....)

Then this one quite cool as well :P



I call it "Looking into the Future".
Nearer Left:
Love is in the air...

Further right:
I told you before that we are not young anymore and you just want to act -_-"
see la.. told you not fun already still come here.... now clothes smell salty already later you go back wash our clothes. And the couple behind us must be laughing. You better sit further away from me. I duN knoW y0u.

(okok I know it's long k I will stop the crap haha)










Bicycle also can romantic sia.

Then this one is one picture that I will put.....
"I this"

the "In a relationship" and "married".



If you get what I mean which is which.
I think for me now, I have the same status as the "couple" on the right :P

Like that also can link to Facebook.... crap la I think I've got some Facebook "virus" in me too......

Then I end off at the Explanade.



How funny life can be.....
I can still remember me saying that "I will never walk alone with my camera again" but then later become "Oops I did it again...." for like..... a few more times -_-"

..........

I guess the line "Never say, Never" is true ^_-
Anyway, I should go and sleep now.

And the Agenda for tonight's sleep...

"learn how to escape lousy dreams"

(think in 10 years time, I would have gather enough rubbishy techniques to write a book haha :P)

Ok good night interesting world :)

Been working/helping my boss at the studio as he needs someone to help him.
The first day of the weekend, Sat, it's actually 12 hr work but ended up working for 15 hrs. (12am finish), then today, started at 11.15am, till.... okay nevermind, I hope I can have my yummy dinner by 9pm -_-"

At first, didn't really feel like going cos it looks like it's going to be my last week before camp after camp...

army camp 20-24 July...
weekend rest.

27-31 July CAC camp...
weekend (suppose to have rest but doesn't look like I will have one already -_-)

3-8 August Hall Camp? (they need a photographer... help loh)
weekend rest.

Then school will start.....
mad rush all the way again
Zzzzz -__-"

Anyway, I was allowed to do my FOC stuff while I work now after I talk to my boss. Cos most of the times, I will have lots of "see see look look" time (I think that explains the low $5/hr for weekend pay)

weekdays is $3.50
(but he doesn't need help most of the days, so it's fine)

Then now, I had edited and made part of a FOC video.
At least I have entertained myself with something for the weekend :P

50 secs took 1/2 a day...

okay hope something fun happen in the last week of my "holiday" :)

*Update 13 July 09

My boss decide to increase my pay to $8/hr!!!! hahaha!@
And I just realised that, last time he used to introduce me to his customer as his "assistant". Now I am his "colleague"!!

And the funny thing is, I am doing my "own work" too and getting paid more!!? hahaha!!
This weekend I told him that I have some personal work to do too, so will come and help him if he can allow me to work on my own work instead of "waiting my time off" most of the times.
But this time, he took up more work then before and I am still being paid more for "making the effort to come down and help"? haha :)

And I hope I really get a "paid" photography job soon :)
Oh and one for more thing to note, for myself.

My boss (I call him "shifu") asked me to call him by his name on this last day before my school starts.
His wife too.

But.....
I will only start calling him by his name when.....

1) he's not the one paying me, and it's "our" customer. (if there's a chance in future)
2) I have something to teach him as well, and it's not mostly one way.
3) He stops treating me to every of my "working" meals like a boss.
4) He stops driving me home from the late nights hours like a boss giving basic welfare.



Okay, nice weekend :)

Went back to school from just sleeping 4 hrs... woke up at 6.30 am.
As expected, with my lack of sleep, I couldn't perform "normally".

And great, I am supposed to talk to freshies.
And talking to strangers is a "locked" ability.

No sleep = No mana = cannot unlock ability

Then no choice, still have to do it.
Because the freshie boys ratio is almost full, we have restrict to talking to freshies girls to try to balance.

I didn't try much, only remember the last incident which I stutter and got "lost" in my words while talking, and that make one of them "um chio" to the max......
(um chio = internal laughing)

Wah lao what I a joke am sia -_-"

didn't take any picture this time. Maybe it's because of the lack of sleep.
Anyway, I realised that the "blog counts" have been increasing after I just started writing more recently.....



Activities level also determines search engines' piority!? I dun know...

Okay and I keep a lookout for this not because I want "higher the better" k.......
I have a few friends who tried to "help me" spread this place... please don't okay....

I started this blog so that "some" of my old friends can get little updates from me.
And later found out that it's also a good place for me to ReMeMber the things that happened...
and I have no intention of populating this place with new unknown eyes -_-"
So if you unintentionally found this place, don't spread ya. I am leaving it "unlocked" so that those "old friends" who may want to find me, are able to.

I've got a stats counter, so that I can monitor any changes in the number of views.....so in case there's too much views I can track and know what's happening. And that's why I know when someone "linked" me haha :) Sometimes, I viewed it in "detail" just in case it got linked to some ultra "flaming" site then I sure Zzzzz....


On a happier note.....

I realised those who thought my posts are lame enough to be "link" LOL~!
Ok loh....
you happy I happy :P
(oh ya, just realised that one of my friend also like to say this.... glad to know that this kind of happy human exist as well haha!!)

And to end off with a cute tiger I got home from zoo 2 days ago....



Good night :)

Early in the morning 8 o'clock.
Went to the zoo for a wedding shoot.
I practised something called the "Auto Focus Points" adjustments on my camera.

Although it was a unpaid shooting and editing job, I am glad that at least, I am given the chance to practice and shoot a high level event called "wedding" :)



Overall, it was fun :)

Went back home, in the afternoon, was so tired. So I went to take a nap.
Ring and Ring.. ring and ring.
Ignored totally~

Then in less than an hour.



It's my handphone yeahE~



Anyway, I got back to sleep then people started calling me haha.. then decide to just wake up and jot down this interesting period of my life.

What can I say................

My life is Action PaCKed :P

Went out to settle some cheques and payment at the bank... ya FOC stuff again. Then because I am out, might as well make use of my MRT concession to go out a while.

Went Vivo for the night. Meet up with stubborn cow then decided to go Vivo for a walk. Then my phone was ringing all the way, super sianz.

It's always good to meet old friends. But because of my stupid smartphone, it ate away my life -_-"
Only manage to try out my camera a bit.

And I realised that the seemingly rubbishy Facebook is having a effect sia.
I just heard that my teacher who's supposed to know me "quite" well was suspecting if the stress is turning me "crooked". haha! Didn't know that the chain of stupid Facebook quizzes "for females" that I tried is having a effect sia! LOL!
Whatever, I don't care :P

Ok, tomorrow I am going out for another wedding shoot at the zoo.... free one again -_-"
okay loh just take it as learning experience.

K, shall just end of with a picture which I took at Vivo just now.




I like the effect :)

Went for my first "wedding shoot" with my boss after I got my D90.

This time, my speed was on par with his camera.
But his "bazookas" is still making him a imba hero -_-
(imba - Imbalance -> Cheat)



Saw that lens attached? It's called 17-55mm f/2.8.

.........

Ok I know you most probably you don't know what that means.
I put in a way that you will understand......

The lens alone worth enough to buy "my whole camera package", ($2-3k)according to my boss -_-

I have another version but with f3.5-5.6 (just means less light sensitive -> cheaper....)
Seeing that I lost in "all ways" if I continue to shoot it with a lens which cost 10 times cheaper than his.....

I switch to a higher level lens.....
cost $30 more than the so called "cheap" lens, I took the shot that's just above.

My camera wow-ed me.
But my boss doesn't allow any of his students to publish ANY photos online.
(I am his 4th)

And I am not earning ANYTHING from all the pictures that I so called "practiced".....
and I have to give a copy of all my pictures to my boss..... and my name will be "unknown".

Sianz how come I can't get a On Job Training.....

I think I really have to eat grass already la......
But my boss say I can "show" it on my laptop if I ever want to use it as portfolio...

Ok.....
Tomorrow I shall start with grass jelly first.

Look at this picture what kind of game can you imaging it to be!?



And to think that a 2 decade old boy (me ya..) would still like this?

ha, but I like it!!
(ok now don't start thinking I may be too stress from work or what)
You can read more about it here :)

But this game is super duper UpZZzz.
Okay... if I were to describe my super Upz feeling towards this game in the "youngster" way.....

I TOTALLY hearTs this Game TO BITS~!@


Click here for it :)
(okay yes I am a pirate haha :P)

Trust me. It's a total stress reliever and I can't stop wowing throughout the whole game.

The creator is seriously intelligent :)

Today, I went out alone to Suntec City, to meet a Photo Studio, which is part of my FOC work....

But to make my day better, I brought out my D90 with me!!
So after doing what is needed, I took some time to stabilise my "marriage" hahaha~!
Got out my most difficult to use fully manual lens.... Aperture, Shutter speed, and even focusing, it's (aw)fully manual. And guess what's that cool name that I have indigestion from before I even start reading about it....

The magical name is: Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AI-s




Cool looking old design right...!

But I bought it from clubsnap.com anyway cos I didn't expect it to be that hard compare to a $100 more and fully AUTO (yes all the aperture shutter and focusing is worth that). But really no $ liao lah... even this 1981 2nd hand lens costed me $200....

But I got it anyway as it has been claimed as "Nikon's sharpest wide angle lens"...... hai shall just train myself to do it -_-

First time doing the 30 years old "professional" thing of turning the lens, take a picture, and doing it again.....
and it's really not easy AT ALL.

wow really must have skill to be a photographer 30 years back....
Seriously respect.

And we should be glad that we are not in the "film age". Imaging taking only 36 pictures a roll and realised that all your picture are either too BLACK and White (overexposed), only after a few days of excited awaiting....

That's why I always recommend my friend to get a "lousy" camera first before getting a DSLR. Then you will learn to appreciated the things that come with it.

Anyway, I treat each shot ultra seriously this time even more....
As each "click" is draining my DSLR's life away....
Okay la not that dramatic -_-

But I only have 100,000 shots for this $2,494 combo...... before the shutter dies.
Unlike prosumer or consumer (small compact ones) cameras, there's a "life count" to how many pictures it can take. And that can be explained from the cO0L "chic Chak! ChiC cHaK~!" sound it makes.
and yes.... $2.4k.....
I have invested my remaining "coffin money" into this, so I must make sure that I can get lobangs to "earn it back" + extra to pay my hostel and food for Jiahe next semester....

船到桥头自然直 bah....
Okay shall just post some pictures here for me to see next time I read back.
(not putting too much later this place become a "museum" then it's not good already -_-)


i






And I must say also that....
I dunno how I came to these places, I only had eyes on my "wife" and it's my first time walking these paths so only knew which "direction" I am going but I know nuts about the name of the places haha :P



It's ultra CLEAR sia....
(original size on my computer is even bigger and clearer!!)




Oh and one more thing, these pictures have been touched up before.....
To make Singapore more nice la haha!!




For more pictures, you can see them here :)

And recently, funny things happen.
Think it's the matchmaking season or what....
I receive 2 random nudging from my friends to intro me to some other this week.
I guess they were unexpecting my reaction and response bah.
Today, I happen to saw a few friends while I walk too.

I used to think that "photographers" are in their own world, as I always see them taking their ultra big cameras around (and alone somemore), and in a way, they give the feeling like they are "alone" in this world and their only friend is their camera.....

But I would have never guess that.....
I look exactly the same today -_-"
(okay this is my first time, I don't think I will do this kind of thing again "delibrately")

And I realised I haven't even have a proper "wedding photo" with my wife~
.........

Ok found one :P
A picture from my friend's 21st bday, from another ultra friendly and nice Pentax photographer friend :P



I still have my "2nd wife" loaded on my right pocket.
On that day, it has only been used to take the "song singing".....

And I realised that my "1st" was really heavy.
Doing my "favouite move" will take loads of mana from my hand......

But it's fun la haha, will continue doing it :P

Okay, shall spend my time with my D90 wisely so most probably you won't see me often with my D90 and "trigger happy" around :)

Now I understand these few lines too.

1. "Marriage" is an "investment".

2. 每个成功的男人 (that's me)，后面都会有个女人(my D90)。

Didn't know it can be used this way too hahah :P
And I hope the 2nd one will be true :)