Just transferred myself Firefox to Google Chrome tonight. It wasn't really my choice since BF3 requires a web browser to open in the background and Chrome is the one with the least memory usage. The experience so far has been good. Community extension support, flashy extensions (Cooliris), nice themes, etc. Guess I'll be sticking to it for a while.
It's funny how things change online. One minute I was nothing but a loyal customer to Microsoft (IE), the next finding myself allying with Firefox and now Google Chrome. It all a little too fast for my liking. Am I getting old and less tech savvy than I should be? o_0... That thought alone horrifies me. Hahahahaha! That'll never happen.
Or will it? Maybe one day I'll be so busy that I can't keep up with tech anymore. Maybe one day I'll be so busy with work that I forget about my friends and my "Good friends are like stars.". Maybe one day that I'll forget so many things that is what I am now. Heh... This drives me nuts sometimes. But like what pastor said today: "One of the most know phrase of City Harvest is 'Keep on keeping on'". I will try my best to do that and be what I should be. I will.
A friend of mine is coming back next month! I am excited. It's rare that I welcome a friend back. Usually things happen in reverse. I am somewhat glad that I have gained another "traveller" friend and I really am looking forward to hearing her experience studying overseas. Yet I am afraid. "Traveller" is not easy to be. It's not the physical act of travelling that is hard. It's managing relationships, handling strangers, looking after oneself. While anyone can become a "traveller", not everyone end up well. Some end up in seclusion. Some end up hating most things around them. Some end up only wearing a smile instead of smiling inside. I know because I've witnessed these myself and experienced first hand. And I don't want to see another person becoming like this.
I wasn't worried about my previous friend who became a "traveller". I know she can do it. She's my mentor; she's my elder in my spiritual family. I know and I know and I know, she can handle anything going abroad can throw at her. Yet I am not so confident about this one.
She had a much harder time than I did. I had family. I had knowledge that made me a target of envy in my class. Most importantly, I am "lucky". She's strong, smart and wonderful in all aspects, no doubt. Yet I am not confident whether she'll handle the pressure of being in another country well. Thus I pray for her, her health, her study, her safety, her everything. It's the only thing I can do. Guess there's another thing I can do, give her a song (I sound as if this song belongs to me... Lol. Doesn't matter.), a Brave Song.
It's not like she'll ever see this but I wish her to know that she's not alone. You're never alone. You have friends here, there, everywhere. When you're there, I pray that your friends will walk along side you and aid you when you're in need (To be fair, I also pray that you'll aid them when they are in need... Just so I won't be discriminating against anybody...). When you're here, I pray that you'll find an everlasting warmth and acceptance, one that will never disappear no matter how long you've been away.
Heh... It's often not the outside world that is scary. It's a foreign home that's the scariest. That's why I'm "lucky". Because of photography, every strange place is home to me as it only means more photograph opportunity! MUAHAHAHAHA!
Anyway, enjoy. (It has come to my attention that there seems to be one person consistently viewing my threads. Not sure who you are but I wish to thank you, for whatever reason that I should have and don't have yet... And if you're a spider, I wish you luck in searching whatever you're searching.)
Brave Song
I was always walking alone, When I turned around everyone was far behind Even so I kept walking, That was what strength was “I’m not afraid of anything anymore,” I try to whisper to myself Everyone becomes alone someday living on only in memories So that I can love and laugh even in loneliness I will fight I will show no tears
I was always walking alone, A cliff waited for me at my destination Even so I kept walking as proof of my strength The strong wind blew against me, My shirt stuck to me with sweat If I can forget everything someday living will become so much simpler If I fall past oblivion that’s just running away If only the meaning of having lived would disappear
Before long the wind died down and the sweat evaporated I’ve become hungry, Did something happen? Together with vibrant voices a pleasant scent came along
I was always walking alone, Everyone was waiting
Everyone becomes alone someday living on only in memories Even so it’s fine, I will call these peaceful feelings my companions Living somewhere I will someday forget the days that I spent with everyone as well At that time I won’t be strong anymore With the weakness of a normal girl tears will overflow
I was thinking and recollecting memories happened over the past period. I was suddenly reminded that one of my biggest prayers got answered. An old friend of mine got into the course she wanted to go! Hahahaha! Nice! Thank You!
The the result came out: Picture 2 and 8 won, double the votes of first runner up. I'll be submitting those two. At the same time, I realized that my knowledge and experience of the basics in photography (focusing, composition, etc.) are still very lacking. Shall practice more!
Here're the final pictures I selected, 11 of them. And I'm going to call in a bunch of friends to help me select 2 out of them all and submit them into the competition. Wish me all the best!
Same applies, click to get a bigger version of the photo.
Ever felt away with me Just once that all I need Entwined in finding you one day
Ever felt away without me My love, it lies so deep Ever dream of me
Would you do it with me Heal the scars and change the stars Would you do it for me Turn loose the heaven within
I'd take you away Castaway on a lonely day Bosom for a teary cheek My song can but borrow your grace
Ever felt away with me Just once that all I need Entwined in finding you one day
Ever felt away without me My love, it lies so deep Ever dream of me
(Dream of me...)
Come out, come out wherever you are So lost in your sea Give in, give in for my touch For my taste, for my lust
Ever felt away with me Just once that all I need Entwined in finding you one day
Ever felt away without me My love, it lies so deep Ever dream of me
Your beauty cascaded on me In this white night fantasy
(Dream of me...)
Ever felt away with me Just once that all I need Entwined in finding you one day
Ever felt away without me My love, it lies so deep Ever dream of me
Ever felt away with me Just once that all I need Entwined in finding you one day
Ever felt away without me My love, it lies so deep Ever dream of me
(Dream of me...)
Ever felt away with me Just once that all I need Entwined in finding you one day
Ever felt away without me My love, it lies so deep Ever dream of me
After so many years, I still fall back to this song every now and then to find comfort. I am always amazed by music. The songwriter doesn't know most of his/her audiences, yet he/she is able to touch them so deeply sometimes that it makes me wonder if they know our deepest and darkest secrets. And it's not those with lyrics that are truly amazing, it is those without lyrics. Without uttering a single word, it can make people laugh or cry.
Just not long ago, I heard a Chinese singer saying this: 即使所有的乐器全部消失，大自然的声音也是一种音乐。如果连这些大自然界的声音都完全消失了的话，也许那就是真正的世界末日了吧。Funny thing is, some scientists agree. There are scientists who believe the true indicator of life is the ability to produce music, even unknowingly. According to them, some star systems maybe "alive" in some sense because they produce music. Music is part and parcel of every society and every walk of life. It is like a masterpiece born out of a chaos of different wavelength and amplitude. It is beautiful.
I have no desire in pursuing music. I have grown over that period of my life. However, I really hope to know a musician from young and maybe get him to compose a song about me when I'm old. Just curious how it would be like. Chaotic? Sad? Cheerful? Full of doubts and mystique? Well, I'll never know. Maybe it will be down right plain! Hahahahaha!
Ever felt away with me?
Ever felt away without me?
Ever dream of me?
KSed by a much more experience photographer yesterday... The right moment, the right flower, the right everything, the only thing wrong is that I wasn't there early enough... Forcing me to return there again today... Leaving now, hope I can get some picture up tmr!
I am a traveller. I came from a foreign place, living in one and will probably end up in yet another one. I find it hard to stop travelling, it's like an addiction. So much to see, so much to experience, it is exciting to feel new things. After picking up photography, this feeling became even stronger as I am finally able to freeze those feeling in time and re-experience them whenever I want to.
It is not without a price of course. Acceptance is sometimes hard to obtain. Every once in a while, people like to express just how much they wish I'm not here taking up their jobs, university spots, whatsoever. Friendship became hard to maintain as well. I became so particular about this word "friend" that I hurt myself and other people (of course I've learned to loosen up). Memories become really valuable as they are the only things that is truly with me when I move around.
I need to move on. Dwelling too long in one place will only cause the negative aspect of travelling to increase while moving forward will increase the positive aspect. It has been almost 10 years living Singapore, I have this strong feeling that I will travel again really soon, probably to a place for tertiary studies. Question is, where? I have two targets in mind: UK and Australia. UK offers better architecture schools and more history in culture for me to study from and experience. Australia offers a cheaper lifestyle and friends. It is a really hard choice. While most people will go for better schools almost immediately, I hesitate when I see the word "friend". I would do almost anything to have another good experience with a friend that is away... Yet, to increase the number of experiences I have in future, I need better degree to get myself a better job... This is hard...
Well, a song for all the travellers include myself, by Laura Shigihara, named Faster. The singer is the one who sang the ending song of Plant vs. Zombies, and the lyrics is quite meaningful to me.
I’m writing words down on a train In hopes I follow through on plans, I make Time is in my hands, but I, keep finding reasons to throw it all away I have spent my whole life wondering what’s out there Too afraid to let go and jump in Something’s holding me back from where I need to go I wanna be, too alive to sleep That’s why I wanna go faster Tired of being still, don’t wanna linger I’ve got to find the purpose that was meant for me Cuz if I move any slower, soon my life is going to be over Before I find the meaning that I seek. (Meaning that I seek) I’ve grown so restless in my wake It’s killing me just getting through, the day-to-day There’s a hunger inside me, I can’t, explain, to try to find my place There’s so many pieces of me I’ve left behind Through my fingers I have let them slide Now I’m looking back on who I used to be That part of me, I’ve got to find That’s why I wanna go faster Tired of being still, don’t wanna linger I’ve got to find the purpose that was meant for me Cuz if I move any slower, soon my life is going to be over Before I find the meaning that I seek. Maybe it is normal not to see But please reveal to me traits that define the person, I should strive to be I’ll be different from before I know I’ve got to hold out for more That’s why I wanna go faster Tired of being still, don’t wanna linger I’ve got to find the purpose that was meant for me Cuz if I move any slower, soon my life is going to be over Before I find the meaning that I- -faster Tired of being still, don’t wanna linger I’ve got to find the purpose that was meant for me Cuz if I move any slower, soon my life is going to be over Before I find the meaning that I seek.
I just begin to understand the difficulty of translating that book. Lacking related knowledge, I fear many of my translations are inaccurate. Since Chinese version of those terms don't yet exist, there's no way for me to double confirm too. Translation is beyond mere understanding of language. I must understand the culture, the topic and the research themselves. I must thoroughly understand this book to translate it.
I pray that I'm not too wrong.
Yet, I am relieved. No matter the outcome of this translation, I know that it would benefit my future career greatly as thorough understanding of any book is not easy especially a good book like this. I am thankful that I was given this opportunity.
Ok, as promised, the pictures are here. First, a collection of shots that I really really like (click picture to view larger version and to savour the details).
Now, the true purpose of my visit to the Botanic Garden, the orchid. There's a photography competition going on and it's theme is orchid. I want to participate. Therefore, I went to Botanic Garden to get some shots done. Anyway, here they are. If you are reading this post (assuming someone is reading at all. I won't know, would I?), please vote for 2 out of all the pictures below. For your info, picture 3, 4, 6,7 already have one vote each.
Went to Botanic Garden today to get a shot for a competition themed "orchid". When I arrived, it was already thunder and lightning. Out of routine, I prayed: Oh Lord, please hold your shower (pun intended) until I'm done. Thank You!
Guess what, it didn't rain! It was wind and thunder and lightning, even a few drops of rain for about 3 hours. It was "it's going to be a downpour any moment" for 3 whole hours. After the last shot, something prompted me that I shouldn't be too greedy and I should just leave now and I did. As I arrived at the gate, it rained as if someone punched a hole in the sky. Amazing! I guess that can be said to be a small testimony.
Went to cell group meeting afterward. Had a great time praying for those who are taking exam soon, Ren Shen, Jeremy, Shenyu, Julia and Darice (I'm not sure if she's taking exam soon. Since she's studying, I just covered her anyway! Hahaha!). Be blessed in your coming in and going out. In His name, you will conquer the piece of paper in front of you!
Since I have no time to edit and upload any photos I have, guess this will be the first and probably only Photography with no photos. Sorry about that. Will upload ASAP!
I have a new category today which is called "Plan". It works somewhat like a long term sticky note to work in collaboration with my desktop's sticky notes. That one for short term, specific goals while this one for long term goals.
This Plan is set with the goal of entering top UK architecture school in mind. Primary aim is to enter top UK architecture school while secondary aim is to enter top Australia architecture school.
Complete translation of ET&D before 2012 Feb.
Participate in as at least 1 photography competition per month. Preferably two. Would be best if I can win one or two of them.
Complete an architectural plan for the bridge competition undertaken during secondary school and at the same time learn about drawining architectural plans. This is to be done before Dec 2011.
Keep on hoping, dreaming, learning. Without hope, I am nothing. Without dream, I will be nothing. Without learning, I were nothing.
Phew, now that's done. I came to realize something about myself. I am better than others in certain areas. While staying in those areas, I can learn faster, master something quicker and etc. However, out of those areas, I am just an idiot who is frustrating to teach and learns at snail's pace. And recently, I'm out of my area... What's worse is, I'll continue to be so for another one and half years without a choice.
I dislike others saving my ass or covering my back. It makes me feel endangered. I will ask myself: What if he won't do it again? I will just die.
Don't be mistaken, I am thankful. However, the thought of me being weak is quite unbearable. I will master this job and excel!
