Completing a challenge

Have you heard of the Photo-a-day challenge? I can proudly proclaim that I have completed this challenge for the month of November! I decided to take up this challenge as I could sense my mood turning darker along with the increasingly depressive situation we were facing. And I have to say the challenge really did helped to improve the mood. At the very least, it gave me something to look forward to every single day for the past 30 days,

Actually having had a couple of fairly accomplished photographers as partners previously, I had been more used to being in front of a professional camera rather than behind it. But now that we all have a camera phone, I rather enjoy applying my aesthetic eye to capture snapshots of memories worth keeping. (Though I also believe in being fully present in the moment rather than experiencing life through a lens.)

So I really had quite some fun looking for models and objects each day, playing with angles and even filters (since I had been uploading the photos to Instagram) that I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun project to do. Sometimes, just browsing the relevant hashtags can yield some interesting pictures too! It is a bonus that it helped to fill up my rather empty Instagram account. Ha!

Disclaimer: I did feel slightly stressed on some days when it felt impossible to fulfill the theme/prompt given my schedule for the day. Case in point, how to find waves when I know I will be nowhere near the sea that day?!?! I also kind of failed on two occasions even though I did produce an image on both days. On the day that I was to take a picture of something I do everyday, I shared an accomplishment on Two Dots rather than take a picture. On hindsight, I could have taken a photo of me chewing or breathing too. For the day that the prompt was this season, I was adamant to wait for heavy rain which of course did not happen that particular day...

I am already thinking about doing a 365 version one. Perhaps with a twist by including one object that will feature in every single photo.... like Mr Tan Chuan Jin's Parley.... hmmm..... 

 

 

What kind of books keep you up at night?

Been a while since I wrote a book review; Had done a few as an English Language teacher. Check out here and here. Wrote this one for NLB Book Review Challenge (200 words limit 😅) when I chanced upon it while reading the book. Really enjoyed this one. 💖 If you don't mind a preloved book, I can pass on the book to you! And just found out there is a TV movie based on the book!

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"Photography is all about secrets. The secrets we all have and will never tell."

"You can't stop time. You can't capture light. You can only turn your face up and let it rain down."

"A moment was not a single moment at all, but rather an infinite number of different moments, depending on who was seeing things and how." 

The very first thing that drew me to this book was its cover. On hindsight, the beautiful imaginary of the transparent dress perfectly reflects the theme of the daughter who is present yet as good as invisible. I also agree with the idea of photography portrayed as a means of holding memories and find myself nodding along whenever this theme is explored. I especially love the author’s artistry in describing landscapes, scenes, moments, and even the emotions of the characters to the point of making them almost tangible. It had been a meditation like experience for me reading this book as it demands full attention to its vivid description and suspenseful plot. The book was set in the late 20^th century and it is sad to note that the stigma attached to mental conditions and Down Syndrome had scarcely reduced since then. I can only hope that readers of the book may be positively impacted and better empathise with people having such conditions.

International Day of Yoga 2019

21st June - summer solstice - officially adopted by the UN as International Day of Yoga after being endorsed by 175 out of 193 member states. That is a noteworthy record where more than 90% of the countries of the world actually agreed on something. Yoga for better health of the entire world population.

Although this year is already the 5th year that it is being celebrated worldwide, I was only aware of it last year when I was on the search for a suitable yoga school to learn to become an instructor. Having decided to take up YICC at Vyasa Singapore, I was informed of the event for IDY 2018 held at CSC Tessensohn.

Then, I was a participant, quite a lonely one too. But this year, I was a volunteer and really glad to contribute as an instructor, a demonstrator, and an assistant alongside my YICC mates. Had assumed it would be a single day event but Vyasa, as one of the main organisers working with the High Commision of India, oversaw nearly 200 sessions across the island over about 2 weeks!

Preparation began a month earlier with weekly practice of the Common Yoga Protocol prepared by the Ministry of Ayuverda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in India. Volunteers were also invited to a photoshoot at Esplanade before we were assigned to the various venues and sessions.

The photoshoot was set at 7am and it had been a long time since I woke up that early for anything. But upon arriving at the outdoor theatre by the waters, I was immediately refreshed and surprisingly stayed pretty alert for the entire session adopting various asanas for the photoshoot with over 50 other volunteers (an organisation nightmare).

My first assignment was totally out of my expectation. As a first-time volunteer, I assumed I would be taking on the role of an assistant, instead, I became the only instructor available for a session to nearly 20 participants at Boon Lay. Thankfully the teacher in me took over and the session went well. I had one participant inquiring the whereabouts of Vyasa after I mentioned it and another requesting for the sequence of asanas I taught... got to mean something right? 😃

The second one was comparatively relaxed as I was one of many assistants to a regular volunteer. In fact, the number of assistants was more than the number of participants in the beautiful Botanical Gardens. Outdoor yoga was lovely although I really did not enjoy the wet grass we were practising on. The calming and healing sounds of the singing bowls during savasanah were out of the world wonderful too.

Right after that, I went along to my third session at Sunlove Whampoa where I really could put my mandarin knowledge and limited dialect to good use as we guided a huge group of senior citizens in chair yoga. Had the pleasure to meet and hear the High Commissioner of India himself who graced the event.

Later the same day, we ended the day with the main event back at CSC Tessensohn with a full programme of speeches and performances before the yoga practice. It really felt like I came a full circle to where I first started with Vyasa. 😊

My final session was on the following morning at CSC Bukit Batok, semi outdoors in an open pavilion with the pool as our view. So fortunate that the 6yo who gave the speech the previous night was invited here too! I got a much better view to her outstanding performance!! Thereafter, I took on the role of demonstrator and managed to execute all instructions successfully.

Yoga has really become such an important part of my life and it means so much to me that I am now able to introduce it and its benefits to so many more people. Still unsure about becoming a professional yoga instructor as something about linking it to monetary value feels wrong.. Anyway, looking forward to the upcoming thank-you party! And of course, many more IDY to come..

Changi Bejewelled!

On the first day when she opened her doors for a week of preview before the official opening, I arrived full of excitement for what I thought to be a guided tour to the new "terminal". Almost immediately I received my first surprise.
Given the specific duration stated on what I thought to be coveted limited preview tickets, I had expected to wait in line and be brought around in groups to experience the facilities systematically. But there was no queue to enter and we were allowed in half an hour earlier. A check with the crew revealed that it was to be a free and easy first look of a mega mall! I'm not even sure if "mega" is an accurate enough description. 

It was certainly big enough to hold a great number of people. I found out that each time slot of 3 hours allowed 25000 ticket holders to enter but I was pretty sure that when we arrived at 330pm, the crowd within still consist of guests from the morning slot!
Feeling a little lost and stranded without a guided tour, we eventually decided to follow a photo-worthy trail suggested on Now Boarding. So off we go for the escalators to the highest floor - Canopy Park on level 5.
I have yet to attempt a live video on Facebook and had totally missed the perfect opportunity for the virgin attempt with that first look of the lush greenery! So please please please, if you have not been to Jewel yet, make sure you have your video rolling as you take the escalator up to the Piazza. You will really be enthralled by the magnificent surroundings and the overview of the entire venue inclusive of the Rain Vortex!

Next, we strolled through the Topiary Walk but were not quite able to pose with all the animal horticulture displays given the sheer number of people waiting for their turns. The elephant is definitely my favourite! 

Many of the attractions such as the Canopy Bridge and Bouncing Net were still not open so I was not surprised when I didn't come across the Mirror Maze but we did managed to snap another interesting reflection of us on the underside of the Discovery Slides! 

Didn't quite pose with them but the Foggy Bowls and Petal Garden are quite breathtaking on their own. 

The OCD in me was also able to position myself right on spot to capture our iconic Control Tower in the centre of this almost symmetrical photo! 

Then we skipped YotelAir and instead went directly to the Viewing Deck on level 2 to get this panoramic shot. The clear view and the light mist made my heart soar... my photo taking skills do not do it justice. 

Next is the Cataract Falls in the Forest Valley. It really is easy to miss these little gems against the gigantic and thunderous falling of water a stone's throw away. Glad I didn't! 

Last but not least, I really wanted to execute their final suggestion of shooting slow-mo against the waterfall in the Immersion Garden on Basement 2. Took my hubby a few tries (kudos darling!) but I do love the effect of this shot! How lucky am I to find a spot with no other visitors too!

So there you go... this was my first experience of #jewelthroughmyeyes (love this hashtag btw) and it will certainly not be the last! So many good food to try, when the queues are more manageable!

for the wish of a single lady

"for the wish of a single lady"
It is something Axel often says when he has to defer to my preferences and to which I usually roll my eyes at 🙄 because I find it to be such an exaggeration, a hyperbole even! I mean I just prefer to use the pavement rather than cut across the grass patch?!?

But for this particular endeavour - I have to agree. It does feel like everything and everyone had come together "for the wish of a single lady", except it is a soon not-to-be-single lady. 🤣

So around this time (8ish am) last week, I was about 5 meters below sea level in a flowy white wedding dress atop a 100 years old wreck surrounded by marine life that took my breath away. But it was not as romantic as it appeared. 

I just received the signal from the photographer with his big ass underwater camera to remove my mask while maintaining my pose so he could get the shot. There was a strong surge and I found myself struggling to stay in place even with weights around my waist, two in my lap and another tied to my ankle. Other than corals and fishes, there were 4 other dive guides, my makeup artist (MUA who also dives!) and another photographer floating close by. 

10 seconds into holding my breath without mask nor regulator, focusing my eyes and face towards the sunlight shining towards our spot in the vast sea, I felt another surge and the chill of the waters. I gestured the "out of air" signal and heaved such a relief when the regulator was brought back into my mouth. As my breathing slowly leveled again, the only thought that came to mind, "What were you thinking to want underwater wedding shots?!?! In the sea no less?!?!?!?!?!"

In retrospect, I was NOT thinking. I just want. Axel and I met through diving and I wanted unique wedding photography and I saw such photos online so I want. That's it. I didn't consider anything else. I just wanted it. 😦

Well, I got what I wanted... and it would not had been possible if this team was not there to make it happen.. so this post is dedicated to all of them who had fulfilled the wish of this soon-not-to-be single lady.

To George: right after our first dive, I remembered sitting next to him and telling him that I was crazy to want this and that HE was crazy to take us on. It was a surprise to me that I had a hard time finding an underwater wedding photographer; now I know better. It was through word of mouthS before we found George and I am SOOOO glad that we found him. Like I said, I just wanted without considering any factors but he, he is so professional, dedicated and thorough. He arranged for pre-shoot practice in a pool for us, flew in first to take test shots with the local guides, took care of not just our safety but our comfort and always put us at ease. I really really admire his passion for his craft (and the ability to look so fresh with so little sleep).

To Stephy: Axel received her contact from a mutual friend and when he was telling me about her, he said I would definitely connect with her and he was right. I am so glad I had not completely forgotten what I learnt from my sign language course from years back and even more glad to be able to have such a talented MUA to prettify me throughout the trip with waterproof makeup. She was able to design different looks and hairstyles based on what I was wearing and whether the shoot was on land or underwater. I was super impressed by her array of self-made hair pieces and props that she brought along. Most importantly, she showed genuine tender care towards both myself and Axel. We appreciate you!

To Lilian: Hey fellow Hello Kitty lover.. you put me right at ease the moment I saw HK on your underwater camera 😍 and your gentle guidance really brought out the model in me 😄 it was so so easy to pose for you and I really had such an awesome time fulfilling that secret desire to be a model. macro, infrared and light painting?! you opened my eyes to the possibilities of the photography industry.. thank you for your easygoing and funloving nature.. thank you for being you!

To Qiping: You had always been relatively quiet during our initial meetings, attentively listening in and always ready to give the helping hand. Little do we know that you can be such a silly yet witty lame joker of a "small fresh meat" 😆 Thank you for all the laughter you brought us during the trip. I also appreciate the really helpful and on-point pointers (pun intended) that you gave when you were behind the camera..

To Tisnu, Ketut and Made: What can I say? You are literally our life-savers, ensuring our safety and well-being throughout all the dives. Thank you for always fining like crazy to make sure we get our air every time we signaled for the tank that we shared. Thank you for not losing my mask too. 😄 Especially to Tisnu, thank you for being such a pillar of strength when I had nothing else to hold on to underwater. I am sorry that this dead weight here caused you to suffer leg cramps underwater.. 😦 Also, thank you for driving us around in your lorry too!!!

To Julian: Last but certainly not least! I really think you are a closet diver... hope you get your certification soon! You are such a giving person, so kind and nice to us and sweet to Stephy. Thank you for being the indispensable translator and helpful coordinator during the trip. Really enjoyed our little chats while I was being dolled up by Stephy. All the best to you lovebirds!

L to R: George, Tisnu, Julian, Qiping, Lilian. Front: Stephy

Finally, to my love, when I almost panicked with that real threat of death by drowning, your steady gaze and smiling lips instantly calmed me down. Thank you for being my life buoy, holding me with your strong arms and holding my heart so tenderly and preciously that I feel no fear when you are near. The entire adventure was worth it for that instant when I realised I truly would have no other than you. ich liebe dich. 💗