Spring finally came...

Spring came on Saturday with temperatures almost hitting the 20 degree Celsius mark.  Spring is the time for flowers and photography because after 3 month of gloomy clouds and skies of spring, it is great to go out and soak up the sun.  Went to the Tesselaar Tulip festival with a bunch of the guys for a photography outing and since Saturday was their Dutch festival so it was a great opportunity for a photography outing.  Took us around and hour train ride from the city and another 20 minutes bus ride to the farm.  It was way beyond the suburbs.  When we reached there, it was packed with people. Reaching the farm, you are not only surrounded by people but rows of tulips.

Rows of bright tulips and sea of people.

However, don't let the pictures fool you. The farm is actually quite small. But the atmosphere was good.  It is interesting to see how the Aussies will come out during a sunny day with their family.  Oh yea, imagine the numbers of cameras taking pictures at the festival.  

Family outings. Baby having lots of fun trying to run away.

Dutch music and dances can be seen in the festival.  Oh yea, for those who are thinking whether there were the "Dutch lady" milkmaids carrying milk buckets and all... The answer is... Sort of yes, but they were not holding any milk buckets and they are all around the age of 50++.  I guess all the young generation ladies would not want to dress up like that. LOL.

Besides flowers, the second or maybe the most photogenic moments are seeing little children running across the fields of flowers or playing in the patches of grass.  Its so cute seeing little ones treating what we think is just patches of land as their personal playground and not having a care in the world who is watching.  Their innocence and joy is just too irresistible.  

Kids:

This cute little boy was throwing a tantrum on the grass while we were sitting at a table drinking coffee.  His blue eyes and curly blond hair is just so lovely.  I am so surprised that my compact camera could somehow focus and bring out the colour of his eyes.


He is just too cute. Love his blue eyes.


And this cute kid stood in front of us for about a minute or two doing this.


There was food and ice-cream for sale. "I scream, you scream, we all scream, for ICE-CREAM!"

The folk dance presentation was interesting but I couldn't get any nice shots because there was just too many people in front of me and that I couldn't focus on any of the dancers.  But nonetheless, there were some interesting shots of children watching the dances.

Riding high on daddy's shoulders.

I ain't sharing my cookie with you.

Little girl drinking from her bottle, apparently getting bored of the dances.

The dawn of a new season was apparent with bees flying from flower to flower generating new life.  And also one of the reasons I am sneezing and coughing now. Pollen and dust is not good for an asthmatic person like me.

But its still very nice for spring to come... Just hope this Hay-fever won't last long.



Loving colours.



Baby Llama.

But the shot of the day which can make one smile is this cute little girl.  While I was sitting on the grass soaking in some sunshine, this little girl, with her dad right behind her walked towards us and danced.  So cute! She waved, smiled and danced.  Little kids can be so adorable.


Wave...


Dance...

Awwww... This made my week....


But being a parent is not easy, having to chase the little ones must be tiring.  but I guess the moments are very worthwhile..
Happy Spring People!

It is spring but it feels like winter...

Spring is supposedly here but the weather is still kind of chilly in the City Down Under (Melbourne City) but according to the weather forecast, its going to be warmer in the next few days.  Well, I should be glad that the University is having it's 2 weeks "Spring"/ mid-semester break but there is just too much work to finalize and the laziness is just not helping one bit.  The only fun part for this break is the spontaneous plans made by Daniel and that the photography session really allowed me to "chill" and think less (I really need to, according to my tutor).  The walk in the park so to speak was inspiring.  The idea of capturing the essence of the evening sun was totally ruined by the gloomy clouds hovering in the skies but nonetheless, some beautiful shots were captured of Princess Park.

Gloomy and cloudy day.

The one thing I love about the people of Melbourne is how much they care and love their dogs.  Walking in the park, one can see owners playing fetch with their dogs or even seeing the dogs jogging beside their masters (mostly leash-less) and being very obedient.  The water fountains found in the park did not only serve the humans but also for the canine friends.

But enough about the love for dogs.  Spring is here and the one thing to look forward to are the things that grows in spring.  Especially the flowers which starts to bloom in spring.  There are not many now, but soon, I hope.

White flowers blooming on the hedges.

Leaves or flowers?

And yes, the textures of the trees are absolutely beautiful.


The dim spring light is indeed beautiful, not to mention the park.  Smells like I need to start jogging more...

But how can I?  A mountain of work awaits.....

Happy Spring Time!

The blues of hues

Life and time can just fly past in a blink of an eye and there are just days when you wish it would just end or that it will just halt for you to catch your breath for a minute or two.  Designing is fun but it can be a pain in the ass at times when you have to stop all development and go back to square one to trace your steps and make amendments.  Reading about the history of some artists, I realized most of them go through a phase called the blue series.  But this is not the case.  Nope, I am not going to talk about my bluest of days but to share the things I do when I feel blue. The last post, you saw the yellow version of my lomography.  Now, here is a blue-r side of things. 

Camberwell Sunday market

Went "shopping" at Camberwell Sunday market the previous Sunday before church.  Its a good place to go to if you are looking for a place to buy other people's junk/secondhand stuff.  From old records, books to clothes to antiques and to old lego parts.  One lesson I learnt that day, being a vegetarian is not easy.  I accidentally bought a vegetarian Falafel for Breaky and halfway through I felt that I needed meat immediately. Walking around, I wish I had the space and the money to collect some of these things which I am very sure of, will become junk one day. 

Cheap books for sale.



Classical guitarist performing his skill. *I know its not blue*



Food-stall with German sausages.. YUM... And there are some selling Jelly filled Doughnuts! YUMMY! 

In the end, when I thought I can constrain myself from spending money.  There was this store selling leather jackets and with a little push from my very good friends, I bought a black genuine leather jacket (second hand of course) for AUD25.  Though it was a lil thorn and dirty, I managed to clean and to fix it and now, it looks new.  A general advice, DIY is better than sending it out. It costs a bomb in Melbourne to get it clean and fixed. Pictures of the jacket soon.  The funny part of the sale was the Old Italian man selling me the jacket asking me where I was from. I told him I was from Malaysia and he replied:"From Malaysia? Very good people, very friendly.  And have very rich king." Right... "rich" king indeed. I realized that he was talking about the Sultan of Brunei so I smiled and told him it was Brunei and not Malaysia.  But I guess, Malaysians especially those who comes to Melbourne to study are generally very friendly despite the negative news back home.

The day was great nonetheless. Spring is here.

Great thing about this semester is that we have alot of campus tours and we are brought around by our tutors to visit the other buildings on campus.  Its interesting to see what we learn is applied into what we will do inthe future or architecture of the past.  Melbourne University Parkville campus is the best to do so because of the many historic architecture you can find on campus.  Not to mention, some very interesting statues and names for the building.  For example:

The biblical word, Babel.

The historical carpark used for the movie "Ghost-rider" which I couldn't take picture of because it was too dark.



But at the "gates", it was guarded by two statues which seems to be screaming:"STRESS!!!" or "Migraine! Knowledge is a killer of brain cells!"

Forgot what building this is, but its next to the botany building.

You might fun some interesting and supposedly functional designs in Melbourne University where they combine the past with the new.

But at the end of the day, it is just great to get out from the boring classrooms to the outdoors.

SO, enough chit chat. BACK TO WORK! Have a great week everyone. Ciaoz!

Lomography and the sudden love for it..

I know I should write more or update more but the lack of inspiration in both my design ideas and blog postings is killing me.  And when you think all hope is lost (due to the fact my compact camera battery always die on me when I need it the most), I got myself a mini-lomo camera and started going out to the streets of Melbourne cit to bring you my version of lomography.  One thing you might want to know about this style of photography is that, it is not supposed to be clear, the colours can be odd and finally, I never know what I take till I upload it online. So, its more of an art than "Pro" photography. These are my first series and there will be more to come. Enjoy.

By the way, Spring is here.

Lot 6 at Melbourne University.


City Streets. (spot Darren)


Tiffanys', every woman's desire, every man's nightmare. *look at the statue. It means it will take ages to earn the money just to buy one.*


Old facades of Melbourne city. So beautiful.


Somehow, me and my friends are going old-school or "art-school" that they are ignoring their DSLRs.

I realized that the colours may be off but it creates a very interesting feel, though mummy beg to differ. But in all ways, sometimes my mind works so differently that those who are close to me just don't get me anymore. This is the effect of entering a course which literally tests and push you forward and changes your mindsets all the time.

Being in Melbourne for almost 8 months, I have to say, I am somehow falling for the city but in a way, still unable to catch on with its cultures.  But I admit, its a beautiful city to be in, especially with all the old Victorian style architecture. Every country has its own beauty. The chaotic KL can be wonderful when you are new to the place.

But who knows, I might be saying this about Melbourne in a couple of years being here.

Time will tell.

Unless it crushes me to the ground first.

Who knows, I might love it here till I want to leave an imprint of myself before I go back to Malaysia. Or should I forget my home country and stay here? My future, what do you behold for me?

In the end, the future is not for me to know and to slowly find out. So.... For the mean time....

I shall get use to the coffee culture,

And the sweet delights this city can give me.

Ciaoz...

Selamat Hari Merdeka! My 2-cents!

Merdeka was not just the day that Malaysia gained independence from the British, but a day where all races found friendship while working together as one Nation to fight for our Merdeka. Its not about being Malay, Chinese or Indian that makes us Malaysian.  It is about understanding each race and religion and accepting it that makes us Malaysian.  Malaysia is 53 years old. It is time for our nation to grow up.

People of the new generation, you are all smarter than the old fools who call themselves politicians. They are the ones who spread racial tensions to their own gain.  Don't let them fool you.  I don't care if you support BN, PKR, UMNO, MCA, MIC, DAP or whatever shit. But support the harmony of the races. Support being a true Malaysian. Fight for the rights to call yourself a Malaysian! We are born in Malaysia, we are raised in Malaysia, of its values and peace. We are Malaysian!

Doa Tuhan selamatkan Negaraku, Malaysia yang ku tercinta! I pray that God will save our beloved nation Malaysia!

Selamat Hari Merdeka!