The Sister of the 5D

* Canon EOS 5D MARK II *

21 MP Full frame CMOS sensor
ISO expansion of 50-25600
3.9 Frames per second
DIGIC 4 processor
Live view function
Full HD video capture
IR remote shutter release
WiFi LAN/USB vertical grip
Image copyright metadate support

those mentioned above are just a few "good stuff" included in the new Canon 5D Mark II camera, there as so much more impressive functions to be discovered!!!
the price is pretty good too, especially for a better camera, better function and a much higher mega pixel and higher ISO support, my hands are now itchy for the new camera hehe, sooooooooooooooo excited over this camera, my initial plans are to get a L series 28-300mm like i mentioned before, perhaps now i would be pushing than plan for the moment and getting this new camera? SOOO TEMPTING I TELL YA!!

ANYONE looking for a USED EOS 5D?

May i present to you......the new EOS 5D MARK II

Gay Wedding

August the 15th, 2008 - My first time working with a gay couple.

I was rather nervous when i was first told that i would be documenting a gay marriage as they had specific request 0.o

It was only the couple and the MC during this civil ceremony. I guess the couple wanted to keep it simple and sweet but it was a touching one.
So i did my routine shots, try not to over shoot as well, dislike the flash pop-ing here and there, to me, it feels like an "intruder" .

The ceremony went on like other weddings until it was time to exchange their vows. Both the husband and husband prepared a very sweet message for each other, one after another they presented their special message. The other husband started to tear when it was his turn, the husband almost did too, and so did the MC moments later.

And so they exchange their rings,

"I now pronounce you, Husband & Husband
You may kiss the Husband"

Then they kissed!
&
took turns to light the candle.

Then i walk up to them, congratulated the newly weds and i started doing my thing - help pose the couple for the photo shoot. I felt real good when shooting this couple, the trick is to talk to them, make them comfy and just shoot without the "1, 2,3 smile!" thingy!
So i got my shots and concluded the wedding. We got the time to know each, apparently they have been together since 1985!! The year i was born!! They custom made their rings with today's date, written inside the ring and the husband actually decorated the huge candle since they couldn't find anything to their liking., and he spent 2 hours decorating it. PLUS the other husband handed me a huge tip! I was bright red!! I have to say, this is my happiest time at work in this wedding chapel, they look so cute together, both my sisters went "Aaaawwwwww" when they saw the photos of this couple.

Sometime in July 2008, California finally legalized Gay Marriage, hence the higher number of gay couples getting married in our chapel.

* It takes a real man to cry *

Blog backLog

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Due to long inactive-ness of blogging, my mind is full of stuff to blog now, soon i'll even forget what i have in mind L o L. I'm going through some of my folders, getting ready to upload some pic for a few upcoming blogs....stay tune!

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LA was ROCKING 5.4!!!!

Woke up in the morning, switch my computer on and went on with my usual morning routine....came back to my computer, was checking my email when i heard the top of my apartment building shaking (i'm on the top floor) so i thought who on earth would be running up there, then the shake got harder and louder, soon enough, bottles were hitting against each other and my fridge was shaking left and right.

IT WAS AN EARTHQUAKE!!!

The whole place was shaking for a couple of seconds, that thing that went through my mind at that moment was "Oh dear, i hope it ends soon!". I couldn't do much but to wait it out and hope for the best. Although it was only a few seconds, it when it happened, it felt like it was very long, it was crazily amazing i have to say haha. How i wishes i could record the place shaking, you feel it all over the place, your feet, you see things moving, you hear things shaking rapidly!! Both my sis were in bed, when it happen, they actually thought i was the one shaking the bed and was kinda pissed at it until they woke up without having me in sight! What a joke!!! I heard one of my sister's voice "EARTHQUAKE!!". Apparently, the quake was centered in the hills south of Diamond Bar and Chino Hills, a good 40 miles from where i live. The dept was roughly 8 miles below surface, because this 5.4 Magnitude earth quake occurred so deep under us, that it affected people as far Las Vegas, there are also reports stating that people as far south in San Diego and Mexico felt the jolt, that's like the distance between KL and SG, imagine that, and 5.4 Magnitude is a relatively moderate level according to reports.

Below are report statements by the USGS :

July 29th, 2008's report

Above : Top 10 list of LA's highest quake magnitude.

This quake was a major one compared to what i felt back in 2005, i was at my old apartment with my friend, and suddenly, we felt the ground rattling and we look at each other in silence....and started laughing at yourselfs wondering what just happen!! Felt like a huge truck just ran through the roads out side my apartment, but there wasn't any trucks. Moments later a friend call to ask if we're alright, and we were informed of a minor earth quake. That was my first time, surely not the last. I'm going to prepare myself from now on.....

Dark Knight at LARGE!

AMC IMAX Theatre
@ Universal Studios
The Dark Knight



The movie was great!! SUPERBBBB The movie scores, the actors and actresses, the many locations shot...it's just amazing!!! We watched it in the IMAX theater, 2D, not 3D. The ratio of the screen varies from time to time through out the whole movie, sometimes it uses up the whole screen, sometime just the usual 16:9 ratio.

Some of the scene makes you go WOW!!! The same kinda WOW you feel when you look over the edge from a tall building!!! These "wow shots" were mostly scenes shot in Hong Kong!! Most of the scene were shot in Chicago, near Jean's school, she got all excited when she saw places she recornized hehe, i know i would!! Apparently almost hlf of the movie was shot in the UK too, and a small part in LA (trying not to be a spoiler here =p ) As you all may know, the screen in IMAX theater are huge, like from the top of the theatre to the floor below you, and there is nothing that can block your view of the Large screen, im talking about how some tall guys in front of you might be in your view throughout the whole movie, not this time.

We had to leave our place early, as we wanted to secure good seats, and in the US, almost all theatres are on first come first serve basis....it sucks i know, but this is the US. By the time we got there, there was already a line waiting outside, and it was about 8am in the morning....was kinda gloomy and chilly but it was all good weather for us to be waiting outside the theatre. Doors opened at 8.30am and everyone was excited to get it, of cause there were FANS wearing batman t-shirt, there was this guy who was reading the comic book and had a tiny batman placed in this chest pocket, talk about fans hehe. I couldn't count the amount of times the people clapped during the entire movie, they even clapped before the movie started, they cheered with joy when the movie begin, and suddenly, you can hear silence then, wow, i don't think we'll get this kinda silence in Msia huh, and no PHONES rang too!!! THE JOKER - He was really good, his acting, his voice, his lips, just so natural!! The story line is much different compare to the other Batman movies, batman dies this time.........haha, its up to you to believe =Ppp it's just so funny when the people clapped n cheered during the movie haha, but i have to stress that the movie is GOOD! It was nothing like what i've expected, really different and unexpected.

TWO great composers come together to compose scores for this movie? Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard I just love the music they compose for movies, started listening to their scores when i was young, apparently they also worked together for the Batman movie (2005).

Well, i think i didn't really spoil the movie now, have i?
You guys enjoy the movie, cheersss!!!

The movie is dedicated to the late Heath Ledger who did a very good job acting as The Joker.

"Why so serious?"

Discharged, yet again!!

Yeap, i was suppose to update you guys after i get home from my outpatient treatment, but after the surgery on Friday morning, the doctor decided that it would be best for me to stay over for just one night and see how things go, then he would give me the green light to go home.


Carol, the nurse who was the one who discharge me on
Monday afternoon, was so excited to see me back in the hospital haha, of cause i was half asleep until i realized that i was back in to the hospital, i remember waking up once in the holding room after the surgery, one nurse came in and wake me, told me i was done, gosh....i felt the urge to go pee real bad, i even remember asking that question, the nurse said it was normal, and so i felt back to sleep, i was still feeling lethargic.


On "The DAY"

Arrived at the hospital at 5am, checked in and a nurse came down to the lobby, showed my parents the holding room, prepared me for my surgery. So i changed into the hospital gown and the nurse came in to ask me couple of questions regarding the history of my health and started my IV drip. Next, i have to wait for the ANOTHER nurse will come to talk to me about anestesia - shes the one who will put me to sleep. And THEN my nurse comes in to talk to me, comfort me and also push my on my bed to the surgical room.....boy it was so cold in side, the moment i was wheeled in, i started shaking, it was so cold!!! I was introduced to the other nurses in the room as well. Then i felt this warm suit over me and slowly......i doze off......... It was like a break from my body, i just left my body, not knowing where i was heading and when was i coming back... a p a u s e in my life. It felt like just a click of a button, everything was over, and i was woken by a nurse telling me it's all over and my lights went off again after i briefly talked to my nurse and i ended up in another hospital room. There's where Carol came in smiling!

*Note the wheelchair, standard patient discharge policy in the US.~ felt weird being push around in a chair.

You see, hospital food are not at all bad, they are yummy yum yummmm, really!!
I felt like a pig, eat 3 full means a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner,
and that's not all,
I actually get to pick what i would like to have for my meals.

Below are a few samples of the MENU:

What would you like to have?

Bloody stone....eh,Bladder stone?

The policy of patient discharge - The patient have to be wheeled out on a wheelchair.

I was surprise!!!
The nurse came in with the prepared paper work, gave me a few instructions on what to do, just in case the stone decides to "pop-out" by itself. She was so cute, kept asking me not to forget to BREATH when i'm in alot of pain, she said "When you're in so much pain, remember me telling to BREATHHHHH", everytime she left my room, she giggle, imagine a white lady, lil over size walking out giggling! hehe. Then she told that i need to be taken to my car in a wheelchair, i thought she was joking haha, "c'mon, don't refuse your free ride out of here!" - and so the transporter came in with a wheelchair, he was a funny guy. Even had a picture taken of me on the wheelchair with the transporter. Left the room and i was greeted by a few people, the server(meals) some nurse who've attended to me and the two doctors as well.

As i was waiting for the car to arrive, all the other patients around me were much much older than me, with walking sticks, one even on a wheelchair, they all were also waiting for their car to arrive, but they were the drivers! I'm talking about those old folks walking very slowly towards their car to drive them self back home. I on the other hand, young (kinda) on a wheelchair having my dad send me home.....oh i felt shy haha, just a bit i might add =Ppp

Asian old folks will probably just sit home, goyang kaki and watch TV!
You have no idea what this old people are capable of....ONLY IN THE US, you'll see old folks, both group and individual, driving luxurious cars around town whoooooooooohhhh, damn they HOT!


Anyway, went back to the doctors office today to comfirm the location of the stone, preparation of tomorrow's surgery/treatment. First i went for a ultrasonic, boy did i feel like a pregnant women hehe, but the stone was no where to be found, so i was given further instructions to go for another CAT scan, and after that i was told to go to get X-Rays too?! Whoooosss 3 scans a day, are my sells dead yet!!?

Just so happen they had a fire drill at 10am, those fire alarm were kinda annoying, and the blinking alarms as well. But i was in the middle of scanning so i was told to just go ahead with my scan, hence the label - Active patient.....suddenly the whole place turn so quiet.

10 more minutes and i'll have to start my fasting before i walk in the the hospital at 5am, surgery at 7/8 and i'll be done by 10am latest. See ya then!!

Home....is where i'm heading off in a while

When i said Home, i mean my Apt in LA, since my parents are here visiting and i have both my sisters as well, one happy family, hence the term "Home"!!!

Doc came in when i was doing an online survey after lunch, he said he's spoken to my main doctor and i was given the green light to head on home! Finally get to leave this hospital after waiting for 3 days since i was admitted to the ER.

I have to admit though, i actually enjoyed myself here in the hospital, apart from the often visit to the loo, the food is good, the nurses are nice and friendly, both female and mail nurse, the Doctors are great, they explain to me this and that, just the waiting that was the killer. One of my close friend even ask if the nurses are in short sexy skirt after i told here there are some good looking doctors and male nurses haha.

No to mention my GOOD neighbour, haven't met him, just hear his voice from early morning to early evenings, i'm talking about 5am till 9pm.....apparently he is a regular, i still remember one server came in with my lunch and said, you've got a crazy neighbour - in a good way haha.

On my last bag of drip now, halfway through, just waiting for my doctor to get some paper work ready and prescribe me some medication before my outpatient treatment this coming Friday morning. Already told my family about this but i'm still in my sexy-arse-hospital outfit haha.....Home it is....

p/s : there WILL be pictures of the place, the food, and sadly no pictures of good looking doctors or male nurses, sorry ladies! =P

ERrrrrrrr

Well my fellow readers.....(like i have fans =P), this is my first time staying over at a Hospital, apparently its a private hospital, didn't know, but it was under my insurance policy and it's near, so why not!

Drove myself to the ER once again, this time the pain was worst then my first visit to the same ER a month ago, according to the doctor, usually patients would be screaming in pain, that's why he was surprise that i'm still able to smile and chat along while in this stage or pain.

I had a much better PR nurse attend to me this time, was in the ER for 4 hours, had to drink some fluid an hour before i went for a CAT scan, my doctor just wanted to make sure this is not appendix, hence the CAT scan. turns out, i have a kidney stone, 5mm, heading towards my bladder. So by tomorrow morning, i'll be able to meet up with a Urologist to talk further and see what's next.

I think it's 4am now, on my 4rd bag of drip, feel like vomiting again.....shucksssss

Urgently signing off!! =(

The "Lazy-ness" or "Busy-ness"?

Alright peoplesssss.....i'll try to update my blog from time to time, but i'll start blogging in"full-capacity"starting July, not like i blog for a living like some full time bloggers but, i'll do my best to keep you peoplesss updated!

CheeeRsssss

One STEP closer to calling this place HOME!!

IT was close to 12am....the phone rang, "hi! i'm on the bus now, just left the airport and am on the way to your place", says Jean O.0

My elder sis and I got all excited after that haha, and minutes later, she arrived at UCLA area, and we went to pick her up. That makes the 3 of us in the family, 2 more "on the way". And now, we are one step closer to calling this place our Home!


Baby Jean is in the house people!!!!


My oh my were we surprise!! We were actually expecting her in a weeks time and suddenly she called! Haha, so.....would i be going back this summer? OR would i just not leave this part of the world? Hhmm......surprises anyone?

Fear Death.....

Recent events has left me with this crazy thought....
Do you fear death?

Was admitted to the E.R a week ago (hence the patient tag and medication).....and I've been watching shows that somehow had this particular topic included in all of them, the uncountable amount of deaths after the massive quake in China, the destruction that left so many homeless, suffering, and dead in Myanmar all had this in common - people dying.

My mind, manage to manipulate those situation with me in it, rather scary i must say, being the fact that earth quake does struck Los Angeles from time to time....I remember my FIRST encounter with earth quake her in LA. Anyway, "The Bucket List", two elderly gentlemen knowing they had not much time to live, took off and live life to the fullest and died happily after fulfilling the list that they came up with when they first met each other in the same hospital room. Seeing what they have to go through in the hospital, treatments after treatments....the pain, the suffering, it just doesn't help me cope with the fear i have for life. I certainly hope i wouldn't end up like that or any of my loved ones.....I think i would prefer something else!

Being in the ER was kinda scary, reminds me of the days where i went to various hospitals to visit my grandparents...i was still a kid then. The waiting....I was seated on one of the beds, waiting for the doctor to come, i was expecting the worst, the sound of someone badly injured, the screams and all, it wasn't that bright as well, my mind started going crazy! phewww...........i'm going to stop right here - MOST important is, im not in any serious"trouble", health trouble, thank goodness for the pills.

I need to let go such fear for the time being - FINALS COMING, should be preparing for that.

Should not have fear!

Which ONE?!

I've been having this itch for new lens hehe, it's hard for most of you guys to understand unless you're reeeeeeally into photography ( no offends guys =p )

Been looking back and forth between two different lenses by Canon.

Lens #1 - Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM

It's a perfect for everyday use! it SHALL replace two of my current lenses, the 28-135mm and the 73-300mm zoom lens.....This lens will be perfect when shooting events, like those rally i've been attending, or maybe some wedding events? The wide (28mm) is wide enough for any normal shots, and the zoom(300mm) is good for far away shots, lets say you want to shoot pictures of birdies flying? or even zoom in at individual at an event to capture their natural facial expression without them noticing the camera, hence the Natural expression....It would be perfect for traveling, no need to change the lens on the camera so often, who knows hehe. Current market price is close to ****USD Almost the price of my EOS 5D camera body itself, but heck, good investment don't you think?

But...its kind of a huge lens for many to look at, in The States, people might think that you're some sicko paparazzi of some sort - that's why when i take my big camera around, i tend to dress well beyond them paparazzi, just to be on the safe side haha. Back in Msia, or any part of Asia, it "might" get me to places easily =p but then again, the feeling of having the public's attention on you.....*palm sweating* PROS & CONS





Lens #2 - Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L Series USM

Well well well, this is a rather wide lens, if compare any standard lens.
The wider the lens, the more area i can cover when photographing an area, meaning to say, when i take picture of a whole building, i don't have to stand so far back in order to capture the whole building, i might not have room to stand further away. Unlike a standard lens, i would need to move away so i can include the whole building in my frame, make sense?

Ok...i know i have a Fisheye lens that's given me much opportunity to come out with crazy funky pictures unlike what you see everyday....the thing with fisheye 15mm is that the picture will surely turn out round, circular looking image. With this particular lens, i WILL sill be able to take picture without moving like so far away, AND, my pictures won't turn out rounded / distorted. Yet, one can tell that the picture is taken using a very wide lens.

The price tag on this baby is half of ****USD hehe, VERY TEMPTING

So people, which one should i pick? Would you like to help me? L o L
Lets see what develops.......




*Photos courtesy of Canon USA Inc.

Rebtel - Making intenational call easier!

Rebtel - International calls without them pin numbers! L o L

I've actually tried this company, made several calls to a few different countries and guess what, it's GREAT!!

The thing i like about this company is that, they will give you a local number for every contact you give them, that way, you can actually dial that local number and still reach you contact right away, hence the PINLESS IDD calls! Eg.i provide them my home number, then they provide me a local number (starting with a Los Angeles area code), then i dial that number and suddenly my dad picked up! WOAH!!! As for the minutes included in my local service provider, they will just debit my minutes as a local phone call. But heck, i get free weekends so i can make calls to anyone anywhere for almost free - 1USD per hour calling back to a Msia land line.

Some may question the quality of the line - A OK!
It's really like calling someone on your phone/cellphone, the line is good if compared to Skype (well, it's free so....can't really compare) But yes, the quality is good, it's easy to use, and they even have a "history" of all the calls you've made, providing the cost of each call too!

However, it's always cheaper to call a land line in contrast to a mobile line, but when it's an emergency, just dial the given contact number and viola! The good thing about this is, you can even call certain countries for free....sad to say, Msia is not in the list yet or else.....*evil laugh*

This system is not that 100% free (that is if you want to compare to skype) But, it does provide you better service, easier calling experience and they have this offer now - top up 10USD and they will include another 10USD, that makes 20USD! They even allow you a good 20minutes call when even when you don't join, that's how good they are in promoting their good service. Moreover, when you refer friends to join under you, you'll get 10 minutes from each referrals, lil by lil it adds up.

So....sounds pretty good isn't it? It's has one of the cheapest calling rates i've seen so far. I don't know about you guys in the UK, AUS and the rest. I hope this will help some of you out there save a lil on phonecalls to you loved ones.

Enjoy!!

THREE !!!!!!

ok so FedEx knock on the door when i was taking my nap (only slept 2 hours the previous night), and delivered my Project Tabblo!!!

THREE of them HAHAHA!
THREE individual boxes!
THREE different sets!


I'm pretty satisfied with them, got so exited that i had them with me when i went back to school for my Marine Bio Lab test review, thats right, 2 major test from that class next Tue!

I'll re examine those THREE projects and see if anything is needed to make them better!

Stalked?

Moments ago, i went to drop my extra credit essay at my professor's place, the date line is 11.59pm May 8 2008. MY marine bio professor had given us his home address so we could stalk him....i mean, hand in our paper at the very last minute.

So, as usual, i got my paper done at the very last few hours, input the address into my GPS and took my own sweet time to drive to his place, enjoy the night view of the streets, the quietness of the road and chit chat with my fellow riders until i got to his place. So i arrived a lil over 11.30pm =p....felt a lil nervous while i was walking up towards his mailbox...double check the address and quietly place my papers into the box AND THE DARN MAILBOX SQUEAKED!!! Looked into his house to see if there's anyone around haha, then walked back to the car and suddenly a car drove pass and made a U turn...so we tried to catch a glimpse of the drive, turns out, he was from my class to, he too, slowly walk up to the mailbox and place his papers there. MY initial plan was to go there, hang around in the car till the very last minute, and watch my teacher walk out of the house to check his mail, then see who else decided to make the last minute drop off haha! But heck, it was late, i had some company to send to the bus stop and i had a long day....so fingers cross hoping to get full credit =p....would that be considered as stalking?

The paper requires us to visit any museum or any marine center and find something interesting to write about, like a process of documentation and also include proof of visit. So i did yesterday, the day before the paper was due, went to the Museum of Natural History, then head on down to the beach from there, to the pier to visit a lil marine center.

Got it done!
WOHOOO!!!

Project updates

Project Tabblo status : SHIPPED


In a few days time, i shall be receiving my Project Tabblo via FedEx Express!
Boy O boy can i wait! *Imagining packages at my doorstep as i come home!

Surprise surpriSe!!

Updates

So, for those who haven't check you mail, or those who didn't get any thing from me lately, two weeks ago actually....I've sent out loads of invites to view my Tabblo, the reason why i choose to go through all this and send invites is because i didn't open those Tabblo for public viewing, that's how i am in case you don't know me. So, check check check, view view view, and feel free to leave me comments, bad and good!

The next two weeks, more will be "open" to you guys...and for those who are curious, look out for my nick name in any of those pages and click on it, you will be directed to my main page where you can view my other Tabblos, i know some of you view my page to relax your selfs? hehe, thats cool to know.

If you're reading this and you didn't get anything? Check your SPAM, or maybe i just didn't send it to you, so let me know, and i shall invite YOU to view my pictures. However, i do realize that it looks like i'm "bombing" your email account with all the invites, for that i apologize.



For those who have visited, THANK YOUSSSSS and do come back, i hope you've enjoyed it! Cheersssmateeeeeee

Project Tabblo - continued.....

So, here i am again, totally forgotten about this post after that night haha...

Em, so, this Project was separated into 3 sets of project using services provided by Tabblo...i was in a rush as i had a dateline to meet, not forgetting the amount of time that is needed for post production, and the allowance for shipping. So as i've mentioned, had to pick the best amount the few thousand pictures that i've narrow down from 50K pictures? Choose, pile and compose into a portfolio like, and in NEAR FUTURE, you guys would be able to see it, if lucky, you guys even get to FEEL it L o L, it doesn't really make sense =)

I've told you guys all that i can mentioned, for those who have known me long enough, this is how i am, haha, always having something hidden somewhere somehow until it becomes a surprise! SO watch out, i WILL have a follow-up post on this Project....


to LB, lu tunggu lagi ya!!

Project Tabblo

After many hours or choosing pictures, picking the best of the best and placing them in many different orders...i'm Finally done with Project Tabblo, used my tabblo to do this project...HAD a dateline or i wouldn't suffer so much =p

This project is actually separated into 3 different "themes". Hence the extra work...
So out of the 6,670 pictures that i have pick from my total 54,000 of what i have since 2004, i manage to cut down to less than 100 pictures per individual theme. Going through my 260 Tabblos (6,670 pictures) 3 times, picking the best of it into 3 different sections......yes the word is SECTION, my mind is so tired now that its hard to think and spell correctly haha

I don't think i can go on anymore, to be continued.... =Ppppp