SIC Christmas Eve 2012

I am glad to here at St Ignatius Church to give a helping hand and a plus as it's my passion to shoot. But on the other hand I am sad as I not with my old parents and family back home in Sarawak. Actual I have replaced my Christmas holiday with a normal holiday back in October 2012. So i can not afford any more long annual leave.
In the beginning, I thought Agnes and I will be outstation maybe Tanjung Sepat Gold Beach. But my heart keep on telling me something else...Christmas at SIC.

Well, here I am. Late on 23rd December, my Church Website Editor ask me if I am available for the photo session on midnight or Christmas Eve mass. He knows my answer will be 'Ok'. Later on the 24th, he added with "Is it ok if you go solo?" That is not so good as I am planning to test my camera D7000 with ISO at 1000. Normally I am shooting at ISO 800 and the images look good but can be better. If two shooter, I am safe but solo I am asking for trouble.
What do you think I will do?
I am an adventure guy and I like challenge. I continue with my plan as I believe that Jesus will help me. Furthermore this is His Birthday. Well, Birthday Boy, here we go.

Wish you "MERRY CHRISTMAS". May the Spirit of Christ filled your heart and your life with joy, peace and loads of LOVE.

ALL images taken with Nikon D7000 and lens Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC with Flash SB910.

 This time, the Church gives me a name tag.

Seng Ping and Samantha at Thean Hou Temple

One of the reason why Seng Ping and Samantha had chosen Thean Hou Temple for their Registration Of Marriage was for the beauty of the scenery surround the temple. I also do not want these scenery to be left untouched but to be embedded in their memory.

I have a perfect models for the photo shot and the weather was great but abit too hot as the sun had raised high up in the sky. Almost mid-day. Well, we were late as these session should be done before the ceremony. We have to take what is available and use it to our good.

These were the shots that I have taken at Thean Hou Temple with the newly marriage Mr and Mrs Ngieng Seng Ping as the main characters.

All images taken with Nikon D7000 and lens Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 and AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G.

Let's go for a walk with Ngieng Seng Ping and Samantha.

Seng Ping and Samantha: Marriage Registration

A bright morning sky welcome, the couple Ngieng Seng Ping and Samantha Low as they headed for Thean Hou Temple in Kual Lumpur from Bukit Jalil.

As for Agnes and I, we were stuck in the morning rush at the Federal Highway. I have planned every shot that I want to take during this event but the worrying of being late, dimished my eagernest and memory. Still I will shot but abit rush.

We made a wrong turn along the way but we managed to arrive at the Temple registration Office just in time. Seng Ping, Samantha and her sister as the witness were already outside the office.

When the Red packet changed hands in my early blog entry Seng-Ping-Samantha-Pre-Marriage, the next step in the journey of Seng Ping and Samantha for being a FAMILY will be Registration of Marriage.

Lets go into the scene of the event.

All images taken with Nikon D7000 and lens AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G and Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC.

 

 The journey started with I AM and ended with WE ARE. Single to couple and family.

Rest by walking in KL Street

It's been a hectic month which started with the DKSH Annual Dinner, three Church Event during the weekend and ended with last week of brother-inlaw marriage. It's been a great time for photography or any practice that you want to do in photography as the there were lots of opportunity for that. Beside that is also the best time to bring out your best technique to capture your masterpiece.

During those photography sessions, I enjoy every moment of it. As long as my camera clicking, I am full of energy and strength but when it stop, I am so tired and exhausted. Yet I want to shoot again the next day.

Now I want take a rest and the best way to do so for me is to walk the street and capture more images. When I was a martial artist fighter, the best way for me to rest is to learn the finer points of fighting and not to get hit with the same blow in the next tournament.

All images were taken with Nikon D7000 and lens Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC. (Lazy to run around as my legs are still pain due to over used over the weekend.)

 Evening Ride in the City

Sunway Piramid: Shopping

I have good photography plan for last weekend but it seems not working at all. On Saturday, I planned to do my weekly Shutter Therapy in the Street of Kuala Lumpur. Beside I missed my street friends in Petaling Street and Jalan Masjid India. The next thing I know, my wife is not well.

But early on Sunday, something happen and she popped a question of going for shopping at Sunway Piramid. Wow! What a luck?!
Then my mind rolling fast and start enjoy the idea. You know why? It's shutter therapy time!!!

All images were taken with Nikon D7000 and AF-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8G

It's a hot Sunday Morning

Dark Sky over Kuala Lumpur

In the beginning, I thought I will never do the shutter therapy until next year as the previous few weekend I am tied down with event or my wife has other plan of her own. As a personal body guard, I have to follow her.

Last Wednesday, she also had own plan but this time she allowed me to do my own thing until 7.00 pm. The first thing in my mind is to roam the KL street and shoot or do some shutter therapy.

What a precious time?! What a luck?!

On the way to Kuala Lumpur, on the West sky has a beautiful golden evening sun but on the East, dark sky. Is is raining? Some people said, that's a sign of rain coming.

With one believe in  my heart that God whom I worship and serve will hold back the rain until I am back in Petaling Jaya, I continue my journey to capture whatever attract me on street either human, animal or just building and cars. God is Good and He is always too good to me.

Here are some of the images that I captured from 5.45pm to 7.05pm
The time is more than 7.00pm because I am waiting for the train.

All images taken with Nikon D7000 with lens either AF-S Nikkor 50m f/1.8G or Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC

Image taken from Pasar Seni LRT station. Dark sky from the East.

Seng Ping & Samantha Pre-marriage: Exchange of Packet

Marriage is one of paramount important in human life and the pre-marriage preparation is also as important to ensure the smoothness of the planned marriage process.

Chinese in general has many pre-marriage custom based on their area of origin in China. The Foochow has their own custom whereas the Cantonese has their own and the same goes with the Hokkien and the rest.

A Walk in Singapore Chinatown

Agnes and Irene told me that I can do my own thing on the 3rd day in Singapore and I am really excited as I know exactly what I will do. I tell them that I am going for a walk and my destination will be Singapore Chinatown.

Come join me in my walk and you will see what I saw during the walk.

All images taken with Nikon D7000, AF-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8G and Tamron SF 17-50mm F/2.8 VC

Shoes in the street

Is she a Bengal?

A stranger walked to my door on Sunday and this is her first encounter with me. Her face looked like a domestic but her fur looked like a Bengal. Based on my observation, she is an inhouse pet as she always want to enter the house. Beside she do not eat my ever ready cat food near my door.

She is friendly, active, alert and responsive to my call.

Who is she? Is she a Bengal?

I am in her eye. I think she likes me.

All images was taken with Nikon D7000 and lens Nikkor AF-S 50mm F/1.8G

SIC Parish Assembly 2012

Last Saturday, St Ignatius Church Petaling Jaya held the Church Parish Assemly 2012. As usual, I am there to capture the moment. In other word, I have to cancel my planned weekly shutter therapy in Kuala Lumpur Street. Well, let's consider this as one of those shutter therapy session, the main point is I am still shooting.
Normally I am not posting an official photography session either for the St Ignatius Church or DKSH (the company I am attached to.) but I think it's more complete if I also post those with their respective Editor or Communication Manager's approval. Furthermore it still a shutter therapy for me.

You may further read on this event at the official website of St Ignatius Church.

These are the images that I captured during the event at St Ignatius Church.

All images taken with Nikon D7000, Tamron SF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC LD IF and Nikon Speedlight SB910.

 The Church Building: St Ignatius Church, Petaling Jaya.

KLPF: Flash Practice Session

One of the occasion that I am looking forward is the public event to practice my photography especially my lighting photography and my sense of lighting. I love to try new thing which sometime I can over do it and mess up my photos. It's ok. I can shoot some more next time.

But when it is a crucial moment in someone else life like wedding or baptism, the extra care have to be taken. Normally in that situation, I shot twin shots: Raw and JPEG.

That's how I learn my photograhy and I shoot a lot of photos to be good at it so that I can do it without much thinking. It's like my old day of training in Tae Kwon Do's technique. Look simple but takes years to perfect the technique to make it effective, fast and deadly.

Read it, Learn it, Practice and practice...until I get the output that I want.

This time around Kuala Lumpur Photography Festival is the event that I am going to use for my lighting photography practice session.

Images taken with Nikon D7000, AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G lens.

I started off shooting without flash.

Fatal Accident at Hicom Glenmarie

It's a bright Saturday morning as we came out of the junction from our house in Shah Alam 2, Puncak Alam. Today, I am extra careful with my camera as last night I dreamed that I broke my AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G lens. In my dream, my lens fell from the table. Broken it's hood but the lens still can be used.

 We are going to service our car at NSS Glenmarie Sdn Bhd located at Jalan Pendidik U1/31 which is a major service.


Singapore Trip D1: Here we come

I have been waiting for this date, September 20th, the day for our trip to Singapore. Agnes and Irene have planned this trip for weeks. Irene has settled our accommodation as her sister Rose Aik had allowed us to stay with her family in Singapore.

In the beginning, we planned to go by air but Agnes has another plan.
She preferred to go by road. She called a bus company, Five Stars to be exact and they informed her that they have a promotion of MYR 55.00 to Singapore and S$55.00 return. If the rate is at 2.51 for S$1.00, that will come up to MYR193.00 for transport. (This is the original price) Then we still need to purchase the Universal Studio Singapore (USS) ticket which cost us another S$70.00.

Agnes is really good in asking fantastic question like 'Do you have any bus fare promotion?'
The lady at the Five Star ticketing counter said....."Yes, we have. We have a special promotion for bus fare with return ticket at MYR 71.00."
Agnes tell Irene about this good news but Irene could not believe it. Thus Irene make a call to Five Stars bus company as she thought it must be a lumberjack lorry to be so cheap. The bus company confirmed the information on the transport cost.
Then Irene inquired about the USS ticket promotion. The bus ticketing lady revealed to Irene that USS has a special promotion with the return bus fare at MYR 178.00

On Monday, Agnes purchased the USS ticket plus bus fare with return at MYR 178.00 per pax.

Agnes and Irene really know how to shoot a great questions to get a fantastic result.

Thank you, Five Star.. Thank you, Irene and Agnes for the hard work.

All images were taken with Nikon D7000 and lens Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC

We gather at the DKSH Malaysia HQ

Tanjung Sepat: Bagan Lalang

Our final destination for the day were Bagan Lalang where we were having our dinner and took some sunset shots. By the way I prepared all our food and drinks from home. We are a budget traveller.

Based on my quick observation, this is a great place for outdoor activities such as picnic, kite flying, sunbathing, bury in the sand, swimming, enjoy the sea breeze or just walking on the beach.

Great place for photography either landscape, portraits, street candids or macro of the beach crabs and insects.

All images taken with Nikon D7000 and lens Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC

Agnes walked on the beach.

Tanjung Sepat: Coffee and Pao

Now we are more familair with Tanjung Sepat area and our next destination will be at Lorong 6, Tanjung Sepat based on our GPS.

If Lover Bridge gives us fresh air, aromatic coffee poluted our air with it's aromatic freshness.

Our travel GPS based on our travel guide indicated the coffee and the pao were at Lorong 6, Tanjung Sepat and the truth is at Lorong 3, Tanjung Sepat. We made a few rounds at Lorong 6 then we gambled at Lorong 3 where we found the place.

The full information on the Coffee and the Pao:

Kwo Zha B Coffee
No. 15, Medan Selera Lorong 3,
Tanjung Sepat.
Tel: 012-686 2221 / 012-322 7784

The shop

Tanjung Sepat: Lover Bridge

It's a bright sunny day and our next destination after Passion Fruit Farm is Lover Bridge. Lover Bridge is just few meters from the Passion Fruit Farm where you may see a few seafood restaurants along the way to the bridge. At the end of the bridge is a jetty for the fishermen's fishing boat.

Why it is called a Lover Bridge?
Normally couples came here to spent their time with the sea breeze blowing and freshness of sea air filled their young lungs. Nice view and have a sense of serenity.

All images were taken with Nikon D7000 and Tamron 17-50mm F/2.8 VC.

 Seafood Restaurant

Tanjung Sepat: Passion Fruit Farm

At the last minute, we changed our destination from Lover Bridge to Passion Fruit Farm. It is located just before you reach the Lover Bridge.

All images taken with AF-S nikkor 50mm f/1.8G and tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC

 The Entrance to the Passion fruit Farm

Tanjung Sepat: Ganofarm Homestay

When we moved on from Morib Beach, we were a bit lost as we do not know where we should go next. We just drive and drive until we see a sign says, Mushroom farm.
We made a U turn and turned into an unknown route which I believe lead to Mushroom farm. Sure enough at the end of the road, we see the name 'GANOFARM'.

You may ask, what happen to our GPS?
We could not key in our destination as we do not know our next destination. We just follow our instinct for direction and of course the signboard. We only know two things in this area namely Special Pao and Special Coffee but we do not know where.

All images taken with either of my lens AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G or Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC.

This signboard looks familiar. We have been here four or five years ago .

Tanjung Sepat: Pantai Morib

After we have enough of Kelalang Beach, we move again to our next destination which is Morib Beach. We do not know that Morib has two beaches namely old and new.
The old beach is the one that is closer to the army camp which I have visited back in 1976 with my Sarawak Foundation Student group.

These are some of the images taken with Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC and AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G

 As we drive out of the Kelalang Beach area, we were stopped by a group of friendly Kelalang Beach Coast Guard (Monkeys).

Evening walk in KL Street

I need a change of time for my shutter therapy and on Wednesday I have a chance to walk in Kuala Lumpur(KL) Street from 6.00pm to 8.30pm as my wife is having her own Ladies Night Out.
I packed my new Tenba Discovery Shoulder Bag with my Nikon D7000, AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC and a Nikon Speedlight SB910 plus a bottle of mineral water.

As this is my first walk during this hour of the day, this can a good practice for my photography growth.
Tonight I want to practice my panning, hand held slow shutter(1/8s-1/15s), buildings and some night street subject with their activites.

Most of the images were taken using Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC as I want to capture wider scene.

The sky is bright and good sign for me.

I need a PUSH

Last Saturday was one of those days where I am really need a push to keep on shooting.

Why?
I am tired and my legs were not helping at all but my innerself still want to do shutter therapy. This desire to shoot drives me to walk in my pain and keep on shooting any subject that attract me.

Some may called this desire as PASSION. Now I know being passionate in what are you doing is really important to keep going even when you are lazy or lost in your tireness of your life.

These are some of the images which I have taken during my weekend walk.

All images taken with AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G and Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 VC.

Nah! for you...(not so good start.)

I hope will get better.

MATTA Fair 2012 in Images

As I was doing my shutter therapy on Saturday, Agnes and I went to MATTA fair on Sunday.
This time we are long for good travel deal for Phuket, Koh Samui, Chengmai-Chengrai, Philippines and Singapore USS.
Beside this we are also looking for a new camera set.

The images which I captured during the event on Sunday.

All photos were taken using Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC and AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G

The Entrance....Welcome

A Traveller from Oracle

Saturday is always a special day for me but this particular Saturday I just lost my guts to shoot the subject on the street as I used to be. I feel so dry, no push and no motivation. I am really not in a street shooting condition or mood.
Why?
Maybe I am tired and my mind is not creative and my vision of what to shoot just vapourise in thin air.
Maybe the night before I slept late and my body is a bit tired.

But deep within me still want to do the shutter therapy session. That I would say is passion for what I like to do. The push from within oneself.

Early in the morning, I did my morning prayer as normal but added a special petition which goes like this.

"O God, I am too weak today and yet I want to walk the street. Grant me the grace to meet Robin Wong or anyone that will walk with me. In Jesus name, I ask. Amen."

As we drive from Puncak Alam, I make a new plan with a change in shutter therapy route. Today I will cover Petaling Street, Pudu, Jalan Masjid India, Dataran Merdeka and Tugu Negara.
This means I am deverting from my normal route of Jalan TAR and Chow Kit Road.

As I roamed through Jalan Masjid India, I decided to move on to Dataran Merdeka and there by the road I saw a man looking at the signboard for direction.

I greet him with a simple, "Hi. Where do you want to go?"
He reply with "Masjid India!, I want to go to Masjid India."
I explain to him how to go to Masjid India but deep within me said, "Show him!"

Tanjung Sepat: Kelalang Beach

One of the thing that my wife and I like to do is travelling. If we have time we always want to visit new places and meet new people and learn more about that particular place.

During Hari Raya Puasa, we went to Kuala Selangor area namely Pasir Penambang, Kampung Bagan Pasir, Remis Beach and Pantai Jeram.

This time we headed South to Tanjung Sepat, Selangor.

We plan to visit the place of interest namely:
1. Pantai Kelalang/Kelalang Beach
2. Pantai Morib/Morib Beach - old and new
3. Ganofarm - A mushroom farm.
4. Lover Bridge and Passion fruit farm
5. Kwo Zha B Coffee at Lorong 3
6. Pernigaan Pao Hai Yew Hing at Lorong 3
7. Pantai Bagan Lalang/ Bagan Lalang Beach
8. Some nice Seafood Restaurant for dinner

For this trip, I bring along my two lens namely Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC and AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G. My Travel Photography gear will be more complete with Super Wide Lens such as Nikon 12-24mm f/4G or Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 (cost range at MYR 3K - 3.6K) or a cheaper Tamron SP 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF). We need this lens to capture the bigger picture to sum up the story of one particular place that we visit.

Our journey was 100% depend on the GPS device to guide us to our desired destination.

Practice makes Perfect

Practice is very important in our daily life when we want to excel in doing something.
Even in our daily work or martial art training, practice in the technique to get the best result is crucial.

Let's say you want to learn a jumping spinning kick which was one of my favorite in my Tae Kwon Do days. Your stance, focus and execution must be perfect or else your kick will not be effective in knocking down your opponent. First you have to master the basic stance and kick....PRACTICE.
Practice until you can execute the kick with perfection and only then you can jump and kick.

The same goes with photography.

First you have to master the crucial camera function and know which button to push in what situation such as when you have to use Aperture Priority and which f/numbers gives you your desired deep of field(DOF).
But not to forget the shutter speed and when to use the Shutter Priority also.
How to do that?
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Keep on shooting, if can do it daily.

Then you may ask, how about photography?
Others may have a different ideas on this but this is what I do.
In Tae Kwon Do, I visualise an opponent while executing my kicks.
In photography, visualise in your mind that you are painting the image that you see on a canvas.
Compose it, frame it and release the shutter.
(This does not mean you do not need the Basic of Photography knowledge, you have to learn that for sure.)

Not good enough? Shoot again until you get it right.
SHOOT and SHOOT and SHOOT.
Practice, Practice, Practice.

You may need to shoot thousand of times to get your desired result. The process of shooting will lead you to be a better shooter and a better communicator.

Where to shoot?
I would say hit the STREET as that is the best classroom with free models, ever changing interesting characters and different scenery.

What to shoot?
Any subject that attract you or a storytelling image or image touch you inside. Street has a lot of those images.

Most important defence: YOUR BIG SMILE. It's difficult to punch a smiling opponent.
That's one of the reason I lost some of my fights in my younger days as I normally bring down my guard when I see a smiling opponent.

Here are some of my shots using AF-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8G and Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC LD Aspherical (IF) .

The first two images were taken using Tamron 17-500mm f/2.8 VC in order to captured a wider area.


Movement effect using Slow shutter speed.

Shutter Therapy: How many time per month?

Morning News Headlines

Some may ask, "How times per month should I go for shutter therapy, a phrase normally used by  Robin Wong  or street photography?"

As I am working  during week days, I am only having free time during the weekend if my partner do not have her own plan like shopping or some other event like IT fare, PC fare or MATTA, then I would say that I can go for shutter therapy shooting when I am free.

But that is not the case as my partner and I had made a deal that I can ONLY go to Kuala Lumpur for shutter therapy session twice a month.

How about the time?
Normally I go down to Kuala Lumpur at around 10.00AM via Kelana Jaya LRT Station and arrive at Pasar Seni LRT station around 10.30AM.

Kuala Selangor: Kampung Bagan Pasir

The Jetty

Our next destination after Kuala Selangor-Pasir Penambang was Tanjong Karang and Kampung Bagan Pasir to be exact. We log into our GPS, 'Bagan Pasir' as our next destination.

Kampung Bagan Pasir is a fishermen village where you can see fishermen's boats and also you can buy some fresh fish from the fisherman.

Kuala Selangor: Pasir Penambang

We have been planing for this trip to Kuala Selangor for quite awhile as we are also staying in the Kuala Selangor area.

As it is a holiday, we are well prepared for this trip in term of food. I specially cook some rice, vegetables and fried eggs. I also bring along some soft drink namely 100Plus and Ice Cream Soda to quench our thirst as we drive on.

For photography purpose, I packed my Nikon D7000 with two lens namely AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D and Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC. I also bring along my tripod in case I need it. Beside this I also take my old friend Olympus UTough 8010 in case raining and I still can shoot. I thinking of upgrading this UTough 8010 to UTough TG1 when my budget permit.

SIC Altar Servers' Commission 2012

First of all, I would like to thanks God for giving me the opportunity to use my talent to help the Church to capture the special moment in the life of her parishioners.
I know I have lots to learn on photography either on camera function, camera setting, lighting, my eyes to see what to capture, photography techniques, photography as an art etc but that won't stop me from shooting anything or anybody that worth capturing on my camera.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2012 with Rosli's family

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI

As our previous year, Agnes and i will visit our beloved brother and his family at Greenville, Kota Kemuning to celebrate the feast of Aidilfitri. This time they are celebrating at his father-in-law's house.

The Smurfs Roadshow at 1Utama



Watch Out!! The Smurfs are in Town in Bahasa Malaysia

In conjuction with the upcoming show of The Smurf in Bahasa Malaysia which will be on Astro starting August 19th, HBO has organised The Smurfs Roadshow at One Utama, Petaling Jaya.

MATTA Fair September 2012 is back

Dearest friends,
I would like to share with you a great news from our friend at http://mattafair.org.my. Actually I am waiting for this event in order to get more information or good travel deal for our next year 2013's vacation.

Hope to see you there on one of these date.

Updates from MATTA Organising Committee

5 September 2012

Dear ARI,  

 Kindly be informed that the LRT - PWTC and KTM - Putra stations are now connected directly with Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) through the elevated link bridge.

You need not walk on the roads; instead make use of the elevated bridge to avoid the crossing the  traffic.

For the MATTA Credit Card holders, you will continue to enjoy the two (02) complimentary entrance tickets and meal vouchers with free entry to the MATTA Credit Card Lounge (located at HALL 1M). 

Visit to Hall 1M is a must as the main stage for performances and many other attractions await you there! Please also visit the various National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) that will be at the Fair... from Brunei, Egypt, Ecuador, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia Japan, Korea, Macau, Mexico, Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, New Zealand, Turkey...and also Iran, who will be exhibiting for the first time at MATTA Fair. 

Check out the latest MATTA Fair web site www.mattafair.org.my  and Facebook (MATTA Fair KL) for more info. 

See you at MATTA Fair SEPT 2012 from 7 – 9 September, 2012 at PWTC. 

Thank you. 

THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

MATTA FAIR SEPT 2012





Batik Painting Workshop at 1Utama



Batik Painting

In conjuction with the upcoming Hari Raya Puasa which end the Muslim fasting month, Krangkraf had organised a Batik Painting Workshop at One Utama Shopping Centre. It's a showcase of colors and a test of participants' talent with color mixing and steady hands.  Malaysian Batik mostly originated from East Coast of the Peninsula Malaysia namely Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang but now it's normal to see batik wear by local and tourist.

John of the Cross - The man



Rays of Hope - Likeliness

As the time is approaching for the starting of the Course on Saint of John of the Cross at St. Ignatius Church, quotes keep on coming to my email. According to the sender Tee Boon Wah,  bwtee@talisman-energy.com  this is the last quote before we head for the class this coming Saturday.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY 
John of the Cross became as it were an altar of pain where he offered himself as an holocaust of love.  John had one yearning in life and that is to love, to love beyond all measure.  He was convinced that this could be done only when we are courageous enough to brave pain and suffering.  

John was insistent that genuine love was patient and kind and endures everything.  He knew that it was the Lord who was guiding him through the path of pain, sufferings and misunderstandings to the peak of love.  He would therefore bless God and praise His Name and call this night of pain, “a sheer grace”, “a secret ladder”, “a guiding night”, “a night more lovely than dawn”, and “a night that unites the Lover with the beloved transforming the beloved in her Lover”.  

It was during the period of intense suffering in the prison that he wrote those beautiful poems which won him the title “Patron of Spanish Poets” in 1952.

During this period of ordeal sometimes it looked as if God had forsaken him and therefore he cried out:   "    Where have You hidden,  Beloved, and left me moaning?"

 But in fact God did not abandon him.  By means of these crosses, the Divine Guide was leading him to a newness of life in perfect love beyond all sense experience and rational understanding.  If John sought the loving God, the loving God sought him all the more and did not leave him till he was fully transformed into a new man. 

Extracted from “Transforming Flame”Author:  Gregory D’Souza OCD

Lunch at Suki-Ya, Paradigm Mall

"What are we going to eat today?" is my wife favourite question which I do not like to answer.
 Most of the time she decided of our outside meal but when we are at home, I am her chef as I love cooking.

"Buffet Lunch at Paradigm Mall?", she asked.

I just responded with, "OK!"

I knew she like to look for food coupon on the internet either from Groupon or Livingsocial or Dailydeals, just to name a few food coupon sites on the internet. Today she seems to have bought a meal coupon from one these site for buffet lunch at Suki-Ya, Paradigm Mall, Kelana Jaya.




The Entrance

Spiritual Course: St John of the Cross

Lay Camerlite will be organising an Eight Days' Spiriritual Course based on St. John of the Cross's Life and Writing at St Ignatius Church, Petaling Jaya from August 4th-11th, 2012.

Further information on the course are as follows:

Journeying through Life with John of the Cross in Prayer Contemplation: A Complete Study of his Writings.

Introduction to John of the Cross:
The Writings of John of the Cross are classical and of perennial value. Through there, he leads us in prayer and contemplation through the vicissitudes of life to the highest state of union with God attainable on earth. Many saints, sages and ordinary persons of goodwill have benefited a lot through his Writings.

If you also wish to be among them here is a golden opportunity.

Course Content:

I Course :
Biography of John,
Romances,
Ascent of Mount Carmel (Active Night),

The Dark Night of the Soul (The Passive Night).


Il Course:
The Spiritual Canticle,
The Living Flame of Love
Minor Works of St. John of the Cross.

The whole programme is divided into two courses, spread over two years of 30 hours each year.

The first course will cover Active and Passive Night.
This includes:
1. Schematic understanding of the mind of John of the Cross.
2. Romances - Divine plan for us from eternity ìn the mystery of the incarnation.
3. Active Night of the Senses in detail - Liberating the senses from the bondage of the passions (I Ascent of Mount Carmel CC 1-15).
4. Active Night of the Spirit (Intellect) through a process of enlightenment in Faith [II Ascent of Mount Carmel CC 1-32).
5. Active Night of the Spirit (Memory) "Finding the hidden Treasure" in Hope (III Ascent of Mount Carmel cc 145).
6. Active Night of the Spirit (Will) "No more slaves but free Children" in charity/Love (III Ascent 16-46).
7. The Passive Night of the senses. initial contemplation, the sins of the 'just'. Attuning the Senses to the spirit (I Dark Night CC 1-15).
8. Passive Night of the Spirit: "Wash me more and more and make me whiter than snow" in the Crucible Faith, Hope and Charity (II Dark Night CC 1-25)


WHEN
Saturday 4th August to Saturday 11th August 2012
(all timings subject to Fr. D’Souza’s schedule and confirmation):

4 Aug 8.00 9.00 am (Registration)
4 Aug 9.00 am - 4. OO pm (Seminar)
5 Aug 9.00 am - 4.00 pm (Seminar)
7-10 Aug 7.00 pm - 10.00 pm (Seminar)
11 Aug 9.00 am-4.00 pm (Seminar)


VENUE
2nd Floor, SIC Community Hall (Room no. to be confirmed)
St. Ignatius Church, Taman Petaling Jaya (nearest LRT: Kelana Jaya Station)
(10 minutes walk from Kelana jaya LRT station - depend on your steps' speed)

COST
MYR150.00 per person to cover Fr. D'Souza's costs, the cost of venue, a simple snack & mineral water for morning/afternoon breaks.

Please note lunch will be on your own account.
Any love offerings can be given to Fr D'Souza directly.

WHEN TO PAY
Payment will be collected on the first day (4 August) during Registration.
Kindly pay in cash (not cheque or credit card).

WHAT T0 BRING
Your own Writing materials (cardigan optional).


FOR MORE INFORMATION
Agatha Chang (016-3927636) E-mail: ag_chang@yahoo.com
Agnes Tee (O12-3991026) E-mail: agnestee2000@yahoo.com


RESOURCE PERSON
Fr. Gregory D’ Souza is a Discalced Carmelite, specializes in Mysticism and in St.
John of the Cross. He has authored 8 books and a number of articles and taught in
State University of Mysore, seminaries and institutes both in India and abroad.


ELIGIBILITY:
Open for Christians.

Life in the Spirit Seminar 2012

Dear Friends,

I can say, "I am a Catholic and that I know Jesus, I know God, I know Holy Spirit" but if I never taste or experience the goodness of God's love...I am nothing. I am just like a drum without the song....noisy and meaningless...my fruits are not fortcoming. My spiritual life is dry as the desert and there is no fruit to attract people to what I believe as a Catholic. I am no different that the rest of the world.

I was once a person who was very critical about Christian and even criticized those who go to church as I see them as wasting their precious time. I did many stupid thing in my journey of life except killing other human but my words were sharp and ill intend which I regretted.

At that time, I thought I am my own king and I do not need God except during bad times as most human did.

God is merciful and patient with His creation as a Father towards his children. He gives me time to taste the goodness of self and goodness of the world. The goodness of self and the goodness of the world are nothing as compare to the goodness of God.

As a young and sexually aroused untested man, I used to think that sexual intercourse with a female will be the ultimate of Man's pleasure but alas, my friend; that is only a temporary pleasure. God has prepared for you a more everlasting pleasure that you can not describe in word for those He choose.

What pleasure you may ask....
To be with Him, to walk with Him, to talk to Him as a friend and to act as He does.
Troubles and sickness may come your way but you will stand firm with your trust in God to bring you through. It's as if you row your boat in a thunder storm with lightning all over and yet your boat keep moving forward to it's targeted destination. Hardship and suffering incurred but you are at peace in the turbulent as God is within you. This in turn will make you grow in your spiritual life.

A comforting words from the Holy Bible in 1 Corinthian 10:13 RSV
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyong your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

But God has a plan since the beginning for each and everyone of us. We are born into this world with a Mission embedded in our soul and engraved in our heart.

Did we know that?

No body knows except God.

St Paul said, "God is Spirit." (Spiritus est Deus)

Yes!! God is Spirit.

Further St Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 (RSV)
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you are bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

That's sound purity as the Holy Spirit is within you and Holy Spirit is Pure.

Thus He is the only one who can reveal and speak to our human spirit.

But HOW to know God and His Holy Spirit?

The KEY is JESUS.

Here is my testamony of this special friendship.

Holy Spirit-my Beloved Friend

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR is the best place to stir the spirit within you.

St Ignatius Church (SIC) Charismatic Team is organising a Life in the Spirit Seminar at St. Ignatius Church, Taman Plaza, Petaling Jaya.
Date: 14th Sept (Friday) - 16th Sept 2012 (Sunday)
Time:
Friday: 8.00pm - 10.00pm
Saturday:  8.00am - 7.00pm
Sunday: 12.45pm - 5.00pm
Venue: SIC Costantini Community Centre
Fees: MYR 25

Contact:
Lawrance Choong @ 012-228 2408; Richard Lai @ 019-333 1002 or Gail Massang @ 01- 942 9411

What you need to bring:
1. Body and Soul
2. Open mind
3. Expectant heart
4. Desire to make a friendship with God
5. Holy Scripture for reference

Why stir?

Coffee needs stirring in order to give it's real taste.

You may say, the coffee powder is already in the cup!

Well, the Spirit of God is already within you when you were baptised as Christians were baptised in the
NAME of the Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

Once the Holy Spirit is stirred within you, then the fragrant of flowers will be blooming and fruits start to appear in your life. It's not easy though but for God everything is possible.

If the God can change St Paul of Tarsus, a persecuter of Christian into His instrument, God also can change YOU from within.

Lastly, Have faith in God, He will tranform you.

Just keep this in mind, "A lot are coming to be listed in the army of the King but few are chosen".
I pray that you will be one of the chosen.

Amen.

Street Life at KIP Night Market

It's almost back to normal life for me as for the last two two weeks, life has been a bit hectic.

I have been involved in a lot of activities during these two weeks with includes attending Julianne-ang-son-full-moon-at-Bubba Gump, Ngieng-and-Low-meeting-of-two-parents, Samanthas-Birthday, DKSH's 10th Years Anniversary and DKSH Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2012.

The last two events were our company official events where I acted as the company official photographer for the events. There may not be any blog post of these two event as I need prior approval for posting of those two event. Should the DKSH's communication Manager gives me a green light, I will post it here.

My DKSH Team, you may check in our official MY DKSH's Blog on those event as once they complete the drafting of the blog, it should be posted there.

To keep my fingers some extra exercise even without going down to the Street of Kuala Lumpur, I headed for KIP Night Market.

Armed with my Nikon D7000 attached with Nikkor 50mm F/1.8G lens, I am ready for the game.
My Timex shows 05:42PM which gives me a great colours and lighting.
Actually I really like to capture images during these time of the day. I love the lighting that it gives.

The images will be retained in color to give it's real flavour.



Light and Shade



Burger Man



Waiting in the shadow



Evening Joy and Smile

Coming Home

Satu snap, Bang!

 Some people just love to have their picture taken.



Concentration

 

Frozen in Time



Sugar Cane Vendor



Fish: Cut and Slice



Give a try



Focus: Char Koi Maker

Too Many Scale

Communication

Pour it Out

Evening Fashion

Chop and Cut

Hair Style



Joy and Laughter




Let me pose for you

(This guy don't want me to take his candid shot instead he wants to pose for me. Street are full of unique people.)


Children and Sun

Street life continues as the sun hide behind the cloud and the night takes over.  May you have a great day. Happy Shooting. Hope to see you again in my morning walk.