Monday, August 25, 2008

3rd album: Fireworks on 22nd Aug 2008 @ Marina Square

Yesh..

3rd week since I got my DSLR.

Although still as blur as the first day I got the camera, I got a bunch of friends who got better knowledge in photography and it was really a great thing they are willing to share their knowledge with me. It was a rainy day and I was so afraid we might ended up caught in the rain (which didn't really happen).

Come to think of it, I was almost an hour late upon reaching City Hall. (But wait, I did mentioned that I will be there later than expected.) Anyway, after I met up with them, we hurriedly made our way to the bridge near Esplanade (where I gobbled down my Meatball Marinara from Subway LOL).

When we reached the area, I couldn't help but felt so stuck. Lucky for us, with the sharp eyesight of our friend, Andy, we managed to grab the best spot on the bridge, which we set up our equipment (tripod and camera?) and camped there (to capture the fireworks).

Here are the first few try shots (ok, I actually took like 40+ pictures BUT these are the ones which weren't too out of focused.)


The above picture that is blurred, it's all because of the mist... I thought it look special.


Okay.. After waiting for like almost 45 mins, (the fireworks was supposed to start at 9pm but we were kept waiting and waiting until 15mins after 9pm.. and finally) did the fireworks start. I understand that my technique is still far from good, but do bear with my skill and enjoy the photo.

(They really look better when they are small in size as I have cropped it from the original pictures)














Sunday, August 17, 2008

2nd Collection!! Singapore's Hort Park and Garden Walk 16-08-2008

Yes! After much waiting!!! I get to go to Singapore's Hort Park. At first, I wanted to go to the Southern bridge. But after my friend (mar) suggestion (and recommendation), we went to Hort Park instead. It's really a place which I must visit again for it rained!!! (again)
========Edited=========
Took this picture because of the beautiful purple... I should try to note down the flower name for easy reference in the future.
Doesn't it look a like a hand bouquet?
The Koi's picture is taken by my boyfriend
Sweet pink flower~
Another flower shot attempt
Look at them... It's a twins~ flower
Oh no... It's a triplet~
Something it's just nice to be unique
Or together would be better?
The frog's picture is taken by mar~
This shot is taken by me... while...
This face-to-face "confrontation" with the snail is taken by mar~
Running for shelter, after our encounter with Mr Snail, we came across this nice flower. Although I did a quick shot (actually twice), it turned out to be a nice close up shot! Lucky~

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

My first picture collection - Botanic Garden

My very first D-SLR D40!! I finally got it! Tomodachi~! (You know who I am referring to right?)

Arigato Gozaimasu~! 

If not for your help, I don't think I will be able to get the camera! Couldn't be more happy when I finally got the camera and has the chance to use it for my first trip to Botanic Garden. 

When I first arrived at Botanic Garden, the sky looks (and sounds) gloomy. 

BUT! That didn't stop us (me and a lady friend of mine) from ending the trip. (Sorry for the short words but quite tired now so let's just look through the few shots (out of the many that lost focus totally)
Saw this and couldn't resist from taking a snap shot which turns out pretty well. A pity I dunno how to make the water flows look better....
Looks like twinkle stars but it's OOF! Have to really open my eyes BIG to check the results!!
Cropped from a larger image.. I had wanted to take a picture of the flowers and I spotted a grasshopper!
I like this shot ONLY it's is totally OOF! Sad to say but I still couldn't bear to delete it off my storage!
Two lonely birds wandering around. It could have been better I could just get them to stay still for a nicer shot.
The sky which was turning dark~
After around an hour plus of walking around, it rained! Although time was short, but I manage to capture some picture...

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Camera!

After 1 month + of work, I am one step nearer to getting a D40/D60/D80?

An explanation from a good friend of mine brought me nearer to which model I should get.

Although D80 is the best among the listed models, with the highest pixel to offer and more focus point, but the budget of a 2nd hand D80 is no where near my budget.

That bring 1 down and two to choose from. Definitely a kit set would be better for an starter like me but D60 kit set would have been less affordable unless I go for the body itself.

Thus, it's either D40 Kit/Body or D60 Body Only.....

Saturday, June 21, 2008

DJARUM INDONESIA SUPER SERIES 2008

Final Results (22/06/2008)
Men's Singles (MS) :
Sony DWI KUNCORO (INA) BT Simon SANTOSO (INA)
Score: 19-21 21-14 21-9

Men's Double (MD)
Mohd Zakry ABDUL LATIF - Mohd Fairuzizuan MOHD TAZARI (MAS)BT Tony GUNAWAN (USA) - Candra WIJAYA (INA)
Score: 19-21 21-18 21-14

Women's Doubles (WD)
Vita MARISSA - Liliyana NATSIR (INA) BT Miyuki MAEDA - Satoko SUETSUNA (JPN)
Score: 21-15 21-14

Women's Singles (WS)
Lin ZHU (CHN) BT Maria Kristin YULIANTI (INA)
Score: 21-18 17-21 21-14

Mixed Doubles (XD)
Bo ZHENG - Ling GAO (CHN) BT Thomas LAYBOURN - Kamilla RYTTER JUHL (DEN)
Score: 21-14 21-8

Source


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Semi Final Results (21/06/2008)
Men's Double (MD) :
i) Tony GUNAWAN (USA) - Candra WIJAYA (INA) BT Thien How HOON - Soon Hock ONG (MAS)
Score: 23-25 21-15 21-15

ii) Mohd Zakry ABDUL LATIF - Mohd Fairuzizuan MOHD TAZARI (MAS) BT Sung Hyun KO - Yi Goo KWON (KOR)
Score: 21-13 21-18

Mixed Doubles (XD) :
i) Bo ZHENG - Ling GAO (CHN) BT Flandy LIMPELE - Vita MARISSA (INA)
Score: 21-17 21-9

ii) Thomas LAYBOURN - Kamilla RYTTER JUHL (DEN) BT Nova WIDIANTO - Liliyana NATSIR (INA)
Score: 22-20 22-20

Men's Singles (MS):
i) Sony DWI KUNCORO (INA) BT Chunlai BAO (CHN)
Score: 15-21 21-13 21-16

ii)Simon SANTOSO (INA) BT Kenichi TAGO (JPN)
Score: 21-16 13-21 21-18

Women's Single (WS)
i) Maria Kristin YULIANTI (INA) BT Ning ZHANG (CHN)
Score: 21-14 20-22 22-20

ii)Lin ZHU (CHN) BT Hongyan PI (FRA)
Score: 17-21 21-16 21-16

Women's Double (WD)
i) Vita MARISSA - Liliyana NATSIR (INA) BT Yili WEI - Yawen ZHANG (CHN)
Score: 21-15 14-21 21-18

ii)Miyuki MAEDA - Satoko SUETSUNA (JPN) BT Shendy Puspa IRAWATI - Meiliana JAUHARI (INA)
Score: 21-19 21-15

Results' Source

Aviva Open 2008 (Singapore)

Final Results
Men's singles:
Lee Chong Wei (MAS) bt Simon Santoso (INA)
Score: 21-13, 21-5

Women's singles:
Tine Rasmussen (DEN) bt Zhou Mi (HKG)
Score: 21-19, 21-17

Men's doubles:
Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari (MAS) bt Gan Teik Chai-Lin Woon Fui (MAS)
Score: 21-18, 21-17

Women's doubles:
Du Jing-Yu Yang (CHN) bt Wen Hsin Cheng-Yu Chin Chien (TPE)
Score: 21-16, 21-19

Mixed doubles:
Nova Widianto-Liliyana Natsir (INA) bt Anthony Clark-Donna Kellogg (ENG)
Score: 17-21, 21-14, 21-9

Source
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Semi Final Results
Mixed doubles:
i) Nova Widianto-Liliyana Natsir (INA) bt Songphon Anugritayawon-Kunchala Voravichitchaikul (THA)
Score: 21-18,21-19

ii) Anthony Clark-Donna Kellogg (ENG) bt Rasmus Bonde-Helle Nielsen (DEN)
Score: 21-16,21-18

Women's singles:
i) Tine Rasmussen (DEN) bt Wong Mew Choo (MAS)
Score: 21-10, 22-20

ii)Zhou Mi (HKG) bt Saina Nehwal (IND)
Score: 17-21, 21-19, 21-11

Women's doubles:
i) Du Jing-Yu Yang (CHN) bt Ha Jung Eun-Kim Min Jung (KOR)
Score: 21-19, 21-14
ii) Wen Hsin Cheng - Yu Chin Chien (TPE) bt Vita Marissa - Liliyana Natsir (INA)
Score: 20-22, 21-12, 21-16

Men's singles:
i) Simon Santoso (INA) bt Andrew Smith (ENG) Score:
21-11,21-14

ii) Lee Chong Wei (MAS) bt Peter Gade (DEN)
Score: 21-18, 21-12

Men's doubles:
i) Gan Teik Chai-Lin Woon Fui (MAS) bt Mohd Razif Abdul Latif-Tan Wee Kiong (MAS) Score: 21-16,21-16

ii)Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari (MAS) bt Cho Gun Woo-Yoo Yeon Seong
Score: 21-17, 21-15

Source

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Puzzle

Broadcast Date in Japan:18th April 2008

Synopsis
Actress Satomi Ishihara stars in her first mystery drama with "Puzzle." She takes on the role of Misako Ayukawa, an unqualified English teacher who happens to have a brilliant mind for solving puzzles. Along with 3 of her students (played by Yusuke Yamamoto, Ryo Kimura, and Kento Nagayama), she tackles various cases occurring around her school.

Cast
Ishihara Satomi as Ayukawa Misako
Yusuke Yamamoto
Ryo Kimura
Kento Nagayama
Sansei Shiomi
Sayuri Iwata
Aki Asakura
Chiaki Sato



Source and More details
http://www.tokyograph.com/articles/Spring_2008_Drama_Preview
http://jdorama.com/drama.1278.htm

Official Site: http://puzzle.asahi.co.jp/

My Review
Personal Opinion of this interesting high-school-related-detective drama is that at the end of drama, there is only 2 person I could remember: One is Satomi Ishihara, the main female lead and Iwata Sayuri, the girl who always flirt with the 3 students and acted smart but always ended up with nothing. (Actually I missed her in Jigoku Shojo although there were mixed comments from other viewers)

The drama started with a sense of humor and it did went well throughout the drama. However, I felt that the teacher's bond with the 3 students can be strengthened. Every time we saw her sabotaging them and they are (quite) disgusted with her fakey-double character. But yet they seems to be comfortable with her tagging along their dates which always leads to mystery solving situation. I was quite looking forward for them to show a display of a stronger bond (I mean, come on, what they have been through? It should have meant something) but nope, even at the end, the teacher care much for her own life then the 3 of them.

Anyway, I felt that this is an entertainment for mystery solving drama lovers who doesn't like too heavy suspense-filled drama. Enjoy~

Sunday, June 1, 2008

My trip to MacRitchie Reservoir

Oh~ What a Sunday...
After planning in less than a week, and finding out how to get there (bus 52, 74, 166. 157), me and two of my friends "embark" on a trip to MacRitchie Reservoir for photo taking session.



Meeting Time: 7am <- okay, all of us wasn't on time.

It was a gloomy weather and it started raining just when the three of us was all ready to make our way to MacRitchie Reservoir via bus 52 @ Clementi. Not affected by it, we went ahead and took the bus which seems quite fast (although the cab fare from MacRitchie Reservoir back to Jurong was like $14+)

On reaching our destination, we made our way, stopping very often to capture the sun, the lake and the insects, towards the Treetop and a lot of people exercising at the area seems amused by the three of us. You see, one of my friends was taking a Nikon D40 camera which is very attention grabbing while me and my another friend were using those normal digital camera. (And how I wish I had my hands on a D40 or something along that line.)





Apologies for destroying the pictures but my skills are not good enough so please do let me know if you have any comments so I can try to improve my photography skills.







The spider web was nice the sunlight was just right, but somehow my camera just went off with a flash and it seems to make the color a bit unnatural (IMO)

The path to the treetop seems to take forever to reach (and I really thought I would just give up and head home as the path was sooooooooo long). I think the three of us walked like 1 hours or two and we still see the sign indicating that we are still 4km away from the destination.

Finally at the Treetop...




Make a guess the distance that we walked to reach the Treetop?

Almost 8km....

When we finish walking the Treetop, my mind was actually going "FINALLY! Time to head home!!" But the route to the exit proved to be even tiring. With the guidance of the signboards, we thought that exit was just 1.1 KM away. Although exhausted, we kept our pace. Just when we thought we saw the light, it's a false hope for the Exit that was mentioned led us back to the entrance path to the Treetop (which I tell you, at that moment, even if you tell me the Exit is up there, I would rather walk further down to other Exit then back up there as my kneecap seems to be breaking apart.) and the exit was actually like 2.7 KM away...

So we walked and walked and walked...walked ....... walked ......... walked

It really a long walk before we finally exit the place and found a cab home...

Conclusion! Never go to MacRitchie Reservoir if you are not familiar with the route and be 200% prepared. Bring water (COLD beverage would be the best), towel (for your precious sweat), and tons of determination

Monday, May 19, 2008

Project Make Over



AKA:
Operation Makeover
Go Go Sister
Eonniga Ganda

Summary
At thirty and age coming on her, Jung-joo despises how her life has turned up. Degraded into doing simple chores for a designer, she believes that the turning point of her life was failing in becoming the girlfriend of then school poster-boy Ha-ni. What's more, Ha-ni has now become a top star, and that irritates Jung-joo more than anything. When a chance to go back to the past for a week is given to her, she meets her younger self, and is determined to change the course of life that has eluded her for so long. But such a task seems much harder than it had first appeared to be, and she becomes more desperate than ever.

Source of Summary

Review
Although the outcome of her first love is still the same, but she managed to turn some things right.

Firstly, she got to find out Tae hoon's love for her.
Second, she got to realize her ambition all over again.
Third, she can finally get over her first love.

It is a good thing for one to get over a relationship rather than have it hanging there for the rest of your life. The pace of the movie is not bad. They focus on her present life, showing how she could have used the chance to amend things and make it better for her as compared to now.

However, it's sad to see so little of (mature) Tae Hoon although the younger one isn't that bad too.

Cast
Go So Young as the matured version Na Jeong Ju
Lee Beom Soo as the matured version Oh Tae Hoon
Jo An as Young Jung Joo
Lee Joong-moon as Ha Ni

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Iron Man (2008)

Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios’ big screen adaptation of Marvel’s legendary Super Hero Iron Man will launch into theaters on May 2, 2008. Oscar® nominee Robert Downey Jr. stars as Tony Stark/Iron Man in the story of a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor who is kidnapped and forced to build a devastating weapon. Instead, using his intelligence and ingenuity, Tony builds a high-tech suit of armor and escapes captivity. When he uncovers a nefarious plot with global implications, he dons his powerful armor and vows to protect the world as Iron Man. The film also stars Oscar® winner Gwyneth Paltrow and Oscar® nominees Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges and will be directed by Jon Favreau.

Source of Synopsis and Official website of Iron Man

Cast
Robert Downey Jr. As Tony Stark/Iron Man
Terrence Howard As Rhodey
Gwyneth Paltrow As Virginia "Pepper" Potts
Jeff Bridges As Obadiah Stane/Iron Monger
Shaun Toub As Yinsen
Leslie Bibb As Christine Everhart

Source of Cast and Full Credits can be found here

My Review
I like the movie although I have not seen the comics before. It seems possible to achieve.

I had thought that Pepper could have been the partner of the baddy. And I am so so wrong about it. She belongs to the good side (at least in this movie).

I wonder how she could have stay by Stark's side for so long to wait for him to notice her. And how he could have been so blind not to notice her.

I hope and I think there will be part 2. Looking forward to it.

P.S: If you are going to catch the movie, wait till the end of the credits.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Osen

Details
* Title: おせん
* Title (romaji): Osen
* Format: Renzoku
* Genre: Food, comedy
* Broadcast network: NTV
* Broadcast period: 2008-Apr-22 to
* Air time: Tuesday 22:00
* Theme songs:
o Opening theme: Odore by Micro (of Def Tech)
o Ending theme: Koi Uta - Koi Uta- by Tackey & Tsubasa

Handa Sen (Aoi Yuu) is the "okami" (proprietress) of a long-standing restaurant in one of the lower parts of Tokyo. Though she is normally airheaded and loves to drink, she has an impressive mastery of a wide range skills, from cooking to ceramics to calligraphy.

Ezaki Yoshio (Uchi Hiroki) is a chef, looking in a 5 star restaurant but he is not satisfy with his current situation. 10 years ago, he went to the restaurant (where Handa Sen is now the okami) and was encouraged by the previous okami (Handa Sen's mom). After much thoughts, he abandon his current position (high pay and good life) and went to the restaurant, hoping to become the top chef. Disappointment follows as he was ordered to start as the lowest grade helper in the kitchen and also with a salary of 50 thousand yen!

While the drama follows various events surrounding the restaurant, one of the series' highlights is its illustration of Japanese food and culture.

Source of Synopsis

Eps 1
Episode 1 of the drama is almost what is written above. The main focus is how Yoshio convinces himself to work in the restaurant.

Official Title: Natural Okami vs Queen of Microwave

Eps 2
Although in Episode 1, Yoshio sort of convinces himself to work in the restaurant, but episode 2 still shows his struggle in working in the restaurant for such a pathetic salary. In this episode, you can look forward to Yoshio's miso paste(the name was specially named after Yoshio as proposed by Handa)

Official Title: The fight between the mother and daughter is over the role of the okami? Bonding over the magical miso

Eps 3
In this week, the start of the show brought us to look at the banner hanging in front of the restaurant mentioning about their main dish. Although the staffs were puzzled as to why the banner must be placed in front of the entrance, they couldn't find any reasoning. The story behind the banner is the main focus of the show...

Yoshio encountered a man whom took advantage of him by getting a free meal from Yoshio. This man is Ryu, an ex-top-chef of the restaurant Yoshio is working at and Handa mistook him as her father. However, to her dismay, he is not. It turns out that Ryu was good with his culinary skills, but it's excellent presentation. Although customers was flocking to the restaurant, the food was not up to standard other than being nice for viewing. Thus, the restaurant long-time customers no longer supports the restaurant and the new customers are more likely a one-time customers. This was the reason why Handa's mother, the previous okami, replaced Ryu with the 2nd chef, Fujishiro Seiji (who is now the top chef in the restaurant). After being replaced, Ryu get involved in a fight which left his hand injured which he kept blaming the previous okami that she was the one who brought his downfall.

The incident was related to Handa in a reversed version but after knowing the actual version, Handa was still upset for Ryu. Fujishiro Seiji, who was also feeling down on knowing Ryu current's situation, decided to make a meal for him: first, to get Ryu's approval of his skills, and second, to get him back to his old self.

The last dish that was presented to Ryu was the dish that was written in the banner placed in front of the restaurant. It is a dish which Ryu had prepared for Seiji years ago which Seiji couldn't forget the taste and the dish was placed as the restaurant's recommended dish.

When Ryu was replaced by Seiji and had start to abandon himself, the previous okami wanted to make him realize that although he has injured his hand, he still can make excellent dishes. With the help of the entire restaurant staffs, Ryu finally regains his confidence and embark on the journey to sell the dish.

At the end of this episode, although all well ends well, but I can't understand why Ryu took so long to realize his mistake and to start all over again..

Official Title: The specialty tororo meal is the secret sign

Casts
* Aoi Yu as Handa Sen
* Uchi Hiroki as Ezaki Yoshio
* Sugimoto Tetta as Fujishiro Seiji
* Mukai Osamu as Tomekichi
* Suzuki Ranran as Teruko
* Kudo Risa as Fuyuko
* Morita Ayaka as Tamagoya
* Okumura Tomofumi as Kenta
* Takuma Takayuki as Hayashi Takashi
* Watanabe Ikkei as Chinpindo-san
* Yo Kimiko as Asai Shizu
* Yuki Saori as Handa Chiyo
* Matsukata Hiroki as Kinoshita Hideo

Source of Details and Casts

Official Website of Osen can be found here

Did you know?
The drama was aired after the drama 貧乏男子?

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Holiday is such a good thing

Nope, it's not because I am working.
(I am still unemployed at the moment)

The weather ain't good either.
(It's still a very hot weather)

First half day
I spend my first half day with my mom and my sister.
(I wished that my dad was there but well, he had to work.)
The meal that we had, wasn't anything fanciful.
(But it's been quite sometimes since I had lunch with them.)

Second half of the day
The remaining half of the day, I went roaming aimlessly with YS.
(How I wish that he doesn't have to work tomorrow, or at least, had more time so we can walk around just like last time.)

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Last Friends



Synopsis:
A story about complex relationship? (Sorry guys, let me try to find one decent description for I haven't finished watching the entire drama and I haven't found any synopsis on this drama)

Review:
Eps 1
Just finished eps 1 of the Last Friends.

First of all, I was quite surprised that Ueno Juri could portray the character Ruka so well that I did not, for any second, linked her back to Nodame (her character in Nodame Cantabile).

Second of all, three of the main cast in Nodame Cantabile, Ueno Juri Eita and Mizukawa Asami, are being placed in this drama. And also, their characters in Last Friends are the complete opposite of the characters in Nodame Cantabile.

And finally, I did not have any negative feelings about the relationships that was being portrayed.

Casts:
Nagasawa Masami as Aida Michiru
Ueno Juri as Kishimoto Ruka
Eita as Mizushima Takeru
Mizukawa Asami as Takigawa Eri
Nishikido Ryou as Oikawa Sosuke

Song:
Utada Hikaru
"Prisoner of Love"