看. 世界

应该用万花筒透视这黑白的世界?

还是用透视镜看穿这花花世界里的黑与白?

陈绮贞 - 旅行的意义

你看过了许多美景 你看过了许多美女
你迷失在地图上每一道短暂的光阴
你品尝了夜的巴黎 你踏过下雪的北京
你熟记书本里每一句你最爱的真理

却说不出你爱我的原因
却说不出你欣赏我哪一种表情
却说不出在什麼场合我曾让你动心
说不出离开的原因

你累积了许多飞行 你用心挑选纪念品
你收集了地图上每一次的风和日丽
你拥抱热情的岛屿 你埋葬记忆的土耳其
你流连电影里美丽的不真实的场景

却说不出你爱我的原因
却说不出你欣赏我哪一种表情
却说不出在什麼场合我曾让你分心
说不出旅行的意义

你勉强说出你爱我的原因
却说不出你欣赏我哪一种表情
却说不出在什么场合我曾让你分心
说不出离开的原因

勉强说出你为我寄出的每一封信
都是你离开的原因
你离开我 就是旅行的意义

A-mei 张惠妹

梦想成真!!! 我的朋友都知道, Amei 一直是我的偶像... 从她出道至今, 我一直很喜欢她! 当我知道有机会与Amei合照时, 我是多么的兴奋, 多么的期盼! 这也是我在报馆最想完成的愿望之一... 终于实现了! 真得好开心!!!

一份耕耘 一份收获

摄影, 工作, 生活都是如此.

Speaking of the rainbow...

It's funny how this rainbow appeared just moments after Xiaomin mentioned that it has been a while since she saw one. Moreover, not one but a double band appeared! We were so excited! A lot of people all over Singapore saw it and I think it really brought warmth and hope to those who are weathering through today's turmoils. Praise the Lord for His Wonders, Promise and Salvation!

:)

A kinder 2C

If I were Ros, I would not have been able to stand the way comments were passed of Hayden and myself.

Although we have been good frens for so long and the comments did not harbour any ill intentions, still I feel it was a bit uncalled for. And most of the comments were made by those who are either unmarried or without kids of their own. Yes, we have been "suaning" each other for the longest time and it is meant to be harmless. But there comes a time we have to tone down our language. Sad to say, we are no longer our youthful self in our white uniforms with metal buttons.

Maybe I think too much but it's about time we reflect how we treat our frens. Before we lose any. I could actually sense the closeness of our 2C gang fading away. Or is it just me?

:'(

女怕嫁错郎

She should just leave him. He does not deserve a 3RD chance. Especially not under such circumstances. As much as my beliefs and faith disagree... this time I do think it's the best for her.

:(

I'm really angry. A**HOLE! JERK!! You call yourself a man!?! *PUI*

Living your dream...

and making it come true. If I had not step out of my comfort zone, I would not have landed myself an occupation I love. If I had listen to my (and others') mind and not my heart, I would not have realized this dream of mine too. How often have we been influenced by others who imposed their perspectives on us and tell us that our dreams are beyond our reach? The only major stumbling block that could stop you is yourself. If you set a goal and persevere, nothing can stand in your way. I learnt this the hard way but it's a lesson well learnt. And it's paying off.

Have yours come true?

It's SINful to be late...

and screw up my shoot. It was mean to be an exclusive shoot before the event is open to public. In the end, they arrived an hour and a half late and went straight to the crowd. No point shouting over the top of my voice to pose them while jostling with the other males hungry for sweet young things in short skirts, skimpy dresses, sexy poses and big boobs with deep cleavages...

SIN is a boring event if you ask me...

*voice in background* "SORE LOSER!!!"

Ok...ok... Except for the Nissan GTRs. Haha.

中国“疯”

I know I'm late in posting this cos the opening was like almost a week ago. But watching the encore telecasts gave me goose-bumps again and reminded me of China's power. Anyone must be “疯” to underestimate or ignore their capability. Although I'm not a 'Chinese' Chinese, I'm just as proud to be a Chinese. The Chinese can do anything bigger and better than anyone in the world if they put our heart and soul into it. It may be about 面子 they did a fantastic job in wowing the world. Photos are by Getty Images.

Estelle 陈善伊

I had mentioned in my post long ago that "when I turn 30...", I had a feeling that there would be a "major turning point and a milestone in my pathetic life".

Well, this is it.

Seeing Xiaomin deliver and hearing Baby Estelle's first cry has got to be one of the most touching, most exhilarating and most defining moment of my life. To be able to see our fruits of love after 39 weeks was indeed something beyond descriptions. She is the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, and when she looked back at her daddy for the first time when I called her name... it brought me to my knees...

I really have to thank God for His Plan and Providence, my parents (and mum-in-law), my many friends and the capable hospital staff for being there for us whenever we needed. Most important of all, I want to thank Xiaomin for the selfless love and sacrifice she has given. None of these would be possible without her. I would be nothing without her. Dear... Estelle will surely be our blessings and joys for years to come.

I love you...

"There was a time...

when people say that Singapore won't make it... But we did!"

Winning the bid to host the inaugural International Youth Olympic Games in 2010 must have been one of the proudest achievement for Singapore. The win did not come easy and it took a lot of courage and hard work to even dare dream and strive towards this goal.

Winning seemed so surreal and I wonder how many Singaporeans are actually feeling the pride and anticipation... I hate to think this way but I just got a feeling that some are still too caught up with their own businesses, rising prices and their desire to strike TOTO to actually care. So winning the bid is an excellent opportunity to rekindle that fighting spirit our forefathers used to have and tune Singaporean's mindset (even mine) that the only people who can prevent us from achieving anything is ourselves!

I'm proud to be a Singaporean!

Pho 24 at Millenia Walk

LJ and FJ got me excited when they had informed me that Pho24 can actually be found in Singapore! We had fond memories of their food during our trip to Vietnam last year and I was eager to reminisce the taste of tradition pho and Viet coffee.

So I took a special trip down to Millenia Walk after the ante-natal course with Xiaomin and we were so happy to see the familiar logo. We promptly placed our orders and enthusiastically waited for the food to come.

But we were disappointed.

Firstly, the "Thit Bo Ga" or the quail eggs that we ordered was not even de-shelled properly. There were 'craters' or broken skins on them. When I feedback that they should have run the eggs under cold water immediately after cooking them so as to make de-shelling easier, they defended by saying that the 'central kitchen' had prepared them so there was nothing they could do.

Secondly, the soup for the pho and the quail eggs were too salty and tasted 'MSG-ish' which left an unsavoury aftertaste on my tongue. The beef was okay but the quality of the soup was somehow inferior than what I remembered.

Thirdly, the size of the filter for the Viet drip coffee seemed to be a tad bigger than the grounded coffee they use so we had a bit of the residue. The coffee was also not as aromatic as the ones we had in Vietnam. Do they even use coffee from Vietnam, I wonder?

Lastly, and most disappointingly, they actually RAN OUT of basil leaves! HOW COULD THEY! Who serves pho without basil leaves?!? Ridiculous for such a renowned establishment to actually overlook this. This kind of attitude and oversight is the bane of such an industry. It was so appalling!

You can say I am being too fussy but I just feel that if you undertake a franchise, at least adopt the correct and determined attitude to doing it right. NEVER think for a moment that the customers and the general public can be taken for a ride. People dun mind paying for good food but such slack and "Aiyah... no one can tell" way of business would only mean one thing:

Suicide.

5cm Per Second

This anime was recently featured in the "Animation Nation 2007", organised by the Singapore Film Society. My brother went for the screening (so sad I couldn't go due to work...) and he highly recommended it to me. Lucky for me, he managed to buy the DVD (his current expensive hobby) or I would have missed this fantastic anime!

5 Centimetres Per Second (秒速５センチメートル) is "a chain of short stories about distance". The movie is named for the speed at which cherry blossom petals fall - Petals being a metaphorical representation of humans, reminiscent of the slowness of life and how people often start together but slowly drift into their separate ways. This Japanese animated feature film is by Makoto Shinkai, a very talented artist. The film consists of three segments: Ōkashō (桜花抄), Cosmonaut (コスモナウト), and Byōsoku 5 Senchimētoru (秒速5センチメートル). Together, they narrated the journey of Tono Takaki (the male lead) on a path of loneliness and self-realisation, chaining up one of the most beautiful story I have ever seen.

Other than "Millenium Actress" by Satoshi Kon, this has got to be one of my most favourite animated featured film for its fabulous storyline, cinematography, script, pace, depth and emotions. The use of fine details, contrasts and interactions between the characters' expressions, body language and backgrounds added amazing realism that would evoke our genuine feelings for them. The theme song was wonderfully selected as well and enhanced the mood and flavour of the film. Here's the last three verses of the song, "One more time, one more chance":

"いつでも捜しているよ　どっかに君の姿を
明け方の街　桜木町で
こんなとこに来るはずもないのに
願いがもしも叶うなら　今すぐ君のもとへ
できないことは　もう何もない
すべてかけて抱きしめてみせるよ

いつでも捜しているよ　どっかに君の破片を
旅先の店　新聞の隅
こんなとこにあるはずもないのに
奇跡がもしも起こるなら　今すぐ君に見せたい
新しい朝　これからの僕
言えなかった「好き」という言葉も

いつでも捜してしまう　どっかに君の笑顔を
急行待ちの　踏切あたり
こんなとこにいるはずもないのに
命が繰り返すならば　何度も君のもとへ
欲しいものなど　もう何もない
君のほかに大切なものなど"

"I’m always searching, for your figure to appear somewhere
At dawn on the streets, at Sakuragi-cho
Even though I know you couldn’t be at such a place
If my wish were to come true, I would be at your side right away
There would be nothing I couldn’t do
I would put everything on the line and hold you tight

I’m always searching, for fragments of you to appear somewhere
At a traveller’s store, in the corner of newspaper,
Even though I know you couldn’t be at such a place
If a miracle were to happen here, I would show you right away
The new morning, who I’ll be from now on
And the words I never said: “I love you.”

I always end up looking for your smile, to appear somewhere
At the railroad crossing, waiting for the express to pass
Even though I know you couldn’t be at such a place
If our lives could be repeated, I would be at your side every time
I would want nothing else
Besides you, nothing else matters"

You can see the promotional video for the theme song and anime here.

新闻奖？

前几天，我和几位同事在查阅近几年新闻摄影得奖主的作品。
看著那些作品，我得到了启发，也给了我一个提醒。

为了确实报导新闻，所拍到的照片，自然会是好照片。
拍到好照片的满足感是无法形容地。而赢奖給於地是一种肯定。

以赢奖为出发点，而拍出来的新闻照，也会是好照片。
但如果没你预期中赢奖了话，满足感可能会被一种“怨”给淹没。

所以，做为一名新闻工作者，正确的 “态度” 和 “价值观” 是无可后非地。

"Vegetable Stew" (not Chicken Soup) for the Soul

There are a couple of things that often moved me, like excellent cuisines (I was actually moved by how delicious pork cutlet could be when I visited Japan a couple of years ago), captivating films and inspiring music. So on occasions when I come across a combination of them, I just simply become a completely mess...

Ratatouille (Rat-a-too-ee, a French vegetable stew) awed me with it's jaw-dropping graphics (reminded me of just how breathtaking Paris was...) and a even more beautiful script and storyline. I dare say that the animated film has reached a kind of depth that previous Pixar productions have never reached before. Although I find that the pace and relevance of some parts of the film could improve, I can't blame Disney-Pixar since it has to appeal commercially to 'children of all ages'. Nevertheless, Ratatouille has done an extremely good job in touching me on a personal and emotional level.

What does it mean to live your dream? How do you know that your dream is a possibility? When do you know if your dream has come true? In a way, I could relate to how Remy felt when it comes to cooking to the way I feel about photography. I could feel the passion, the excitement and the ecstasy when he's engrossed in his art; his relentless pursue for perfection and finesse, his frustration when something is missing but can't put a finger to, and of course... the satisfaction when his art is accomplished and appreciated. Back when I was still in the service, there were occasions when we were asked what our "Defining Moment" was; what that single moment was that changed our perspectives, our ideals, our lives... For Remy, as I interpreted in the film, would be the moment when Anton Ego took his first bite on the Ratatouille he prepared. It was a culmination of everything that Remy hope for, stood for and lived for.

What dreams do you have? What do you stand for? What do you live for?

What is your 'Ratatouille'?

11.7

I could actually hear the heart beat!

生日 . 快乐

You will always be that special one in my heart, the most beautiful in my eyes and the best that has ever happened to me.

8.7

6.1