The Pill That Cures

Toy Camera

2009-08-02T08:07:00.000-07:00

Choosing size

2009-08-01T20:24:00.000-07:00

How do you embed your image in your blog ?
Which is the best way to post high-quality pictures ?

I tried these :

Exported out from Lightroom with SRGB, 800 by 640.
Upload to Picasa , and chose Large Size for embedded image.
Made photo to match the width for the column here by setting ' witdh="100%" ' in the HTML

Exported out from Lightroom with ORIGINAL setting (as taken by camera)
Upload to Picasa , and chose Large Size for embedded image. (it seems like Picasa does not allow embedded image more than 800 px ? )
Made photo to match the width for the column here by setting ' witdh="100%" ' in the HTML

Exported out from Lightroom with ORIGINAL setting (as taken by camera)
Upload to FLICKR , and chose Largest Size 1024*685 (I dont have pro-account at this moment)
Made photo to match the width for the column here by setting ' witdh="100%" ' in the HTML

Questions:
1) Does setting 'width=100%' to match my blog column affect the image quality , or even create better quality since bigger image are squeezed to match the column size ?

Hydrangea Series 2009

2009-07-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

2nd trip to Shirakawa-go in 2 months time. :)
This time, hydrangea is in full bloom in Shirakawa-go.
Meanwhile, back in Kyoto, it is so hot, that the hydrangea here has already started to wither.

Mosaic of hydrangea

Frog in green back ground

Pink hydrangea

Zen ...

Hydrangea in shallow DOF

Hydrangea in shallow DOF

White hydrangea

Bee working

Fuji 藤

2009-05-26T15:21:00.000-07:00

This is not Fuji.

Fuji (in Japanese) or wisteria, is very hardy and fast-growing. It is considered and invasive species in certain areas !!

Beautiful Rainy Day at Todaiji, Nara

2009-04-30T16:27:00.000-07:00

Go'kuuu~~~ri in HDR

2009-04-27T08:30:00.000-07:00

Trying out HDR. By the way, this is my favorite drink at this moment.

地蔵禅院

2009-04-02T06:34:00.000-07:00

Location : JR奈良線ー玉水駅

Please see other photos here :

Bank of China Tower by I.M. Pei

2009-03-22T16:33:00.000-07:00

Undoubtedly one of I.M Pei most famous work, The Bank of China Tower, which began construction on 1982.

From the observation floor.

View of Kowloon Island

Bank of China still glitters and stands out among other taller and more modern buildings.

Still gorgeous at night

Beautiful garden in front of Bank of China

Bird Shot in Kamogawa 2008

2009-02-22T06:16:00.000-08:00

Kamogawa = Kamo (ducks) + gawa (river). This river indeed is habitat and migration point for several type of birds.
Most commonly seen are the Magamo (マガモ）(Anas platyrhynchos ) and Karugamo (カルガモ）(Anas poecilorhyncha). Both are in the ducks family.

The more elegant and rare bird in Kamogawa is the heron. Thanks to Ernesto's invitation and great idea of luring those birds with 99 yen bread, I managed to get some shots of Aosagi (アオサギ) (Ardea cinerea) in action.

This post is also dedicated to him, to stop his nagging. :P

Aosagi (heron) and Magamo (duck)

Look ! Aosagi is aiming on the bread.

Huh?

P/S: This is the list of birds found in Kamogawa (in Japanese)

高雄　Takao Kyoto

2008-11-22T20:34:00.000-08:00

My first visit to Takao, Kyoto.

Jingo-ji

View from Jingo-ji

The pink wall

World Heritage - Kozanji

天竜寺 Arashiyama

2008-11-02T21:30:00.000-08:00

Framing

2008-10-23T19:37:00.000-07:00

Furniture

2008-10-11T19:55:00.000-07:00

Some shots I did last year using my D80.

お　！

2008-09-24T17:17:00.001-07:00

Nagoya Aquarium, where the killer whale Ku died recently

Ryoanji and Vignetting

2008-09-14T17:55:00.000-07:00

Vignetting is a weakness in optical lenses. But vignetting your pictures may help to "highlight" or "bring out" the main object in the picture. Vignetting is one of my favorite tool in post-processing.

Yellow in green ocean.

The red paper bag.

Isuien (Nara)

2008-08-27T07:45:00.000-07:00

Isuien Garden, established during the Edo Period and enlarged a century ago by a Nara merchant, is a strolling garden that uses the principles of borrowed landscape, incorporating the hills of Kasuga and Wakayama in its design. While nothing spectacular, it does have a wonderful thatched-roof restaurant overlooking part of the garden and a pond -- a great, traditional place for a meal.

Gion Matsuri 2008

2008-07-23T17:53:00.000-07:00

This is my 5th Gion Matsuri.

slide show

35 Outing

2008-07-15T06:05:00.000-07:00

It is nice to walk around Kyoto, snapping photos.

I love my new 35 / F2 lense. It is light to carry around all day , and razor-sharp.

This lense is fast enough for normal to dim light shot. But it is a pity that Nikon has already stopped producing the older Nikkor 35mm/F1.4 which is a much faster lense.

WYSIWYG.
With factor of 1.6 for my D50 and most non-full frame DSLR, 35mm lense produces a view equivalent to 50mm lense in full-frame camera.(35mm camera).

Another amazing thing about this lense is its minimum focusing distance about 25cm.

Prism

2008-07-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

35mm B W

2008-06-30T17:24:00.000-07:00

A quick shot at underway pass in Kyoto Station with my new 35mm F2.

Never Give Up ~ Baby Monkey

2008-06-11T16:48:00.000-07:00

I am gonna try to cross over.

Ouuch !

Argh.. no. I won't give up !

Plan carefully. Don't give up

Yes ! I made it . Hooray.

Element of Voice

2008-06-07T19:46:00.001-07:00

IF you love music (especially free music), pls visit Element of Voice.

天天想妳

2008-05-19T07:55:00.002-07:00

當我佇立在窗前　妳愈走愈遠
我的每一次心跳　妳是否聽見
當我徘徊在深夜　妳在我心田
妳的每一句誓言　迴盪在耳邊

隱隱約約　閃動的雙眼
藏著妳的羞怯　加深我的思念
兩顆心的交界　妳一定會看見
只要妳願意走向前

天天想妳　天天問自己
到什麼時候才能告訴妳

天天想妳　天天守住一顆心
把我最好的愛留給妳

(天天想妳 - 張雨生 1955-1997)

The Ghost

2008-04-20T17:46:00.000-07:00

Fire 火

2008-04-15T04:57:00.000-07:00

Nanzenji 南禅寺

2008-04-11T18:44:00.000-07:00

桜

2008-04-08T22:06:00.000-07:00

Kyoto Botanical Garden

Not as good as Ai Ling's B&W.

Kiyamachi.

Abashiri 網走

2008-04-02T07:22:00.000-07:00

Abashiri, Hokkaido, situated in the coast of Okhostk sea, is a popular place to see ice-floe. Ice floes arrive in Abashiri every year in late January.

The bluish white ice-floes.

Light house at Wakkanai Port, where the tourist ferry departs.

View of the ice-floes from the ferry

Lake Kussharo 屈斜路湖 -Final

2008-03-25T07:59:00.000-07:00

My final post on Lake Kussharo.

Contrast heavily adjusted for this last picture.

To see full size, pls visit my photohito site.

Lake Kussharo 屈斜路湖

2008-03-22T22:22:00.000-07:00

Lake Kussharo is a beautiful caldera lake in Akan National Park. With a circumference of 57 kilometers it is the park's largest lake. Various outdoor activities, such as fishing, hiking, kayaking and cycling, can be enjoyed around the lake.　（http://www.japan-guide.com)

Lake Kussharo

2008-03-21T22:10:00.000-07:00

Ainu Kotan in Lake Akan

2008-03-19T06:23:00.000-07:00

The tour bus reached Akan National Park at 630 pm, after 5 hours of journey from Chitose airport. After checking into the 3-Star, and a decades old hotel, we walked around the Ainu Kotan Village. The word kotan means village in the Ainu language.

I am not sure whether this village is a replica or an original Ainu Kotan

There are a lot interesting souvenir shops in Ainu Kotan village. Most of them sell wood crafts.

Marimo is almost the mascot for Akan National Park, as I could see it almost at every corner, and even in the toilet of the ryokan we stayed.

Marimo can be found only in Akan Lake in Japan. It is a species of filamentous green algae which grow into large green balls.

Hokkaido

2008-03-17T06:53:00.000-07:00

Thank you Chan again for the wonderful trip to Hokkaido. :P.
I will post more photos of the trip, later.

Yuki-matsuri at Soun-kyou 層雲峡, a small town in Hokkaido.

Naoshima 直島

2008-03-13T19:42:00.000-07:00

If not because of Mai, and Chan, I dont think I will get to know this beautiful Art Island.

I am dedicating this post to Chan, who is leaving to pursue his career. I wish him all the best.

Prof Chan in Monet Garden

Fighting alien (Pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama)

Thank you and we will miss you!

Segamat

2008-03-12T07:45:00.000-07:00

Segamat got her name from "Segar Amat" which means "very fresh". This "Segar Amat" name was given by Bendahara Tepok, who was the Prime Minister of Melaka. He was fleeing Melaka in 1511, when the Portuguese invaded Melaka, which was then a major port in South East Asia, and an entre-port between the East and West. On his way retreating to Johore, (the state in the South of Peninsular Malaysia), Bendahara Tepok and his troops stopped and rested by a river and drank from the river. The water of the river was cold and refreshing, and Bendahara exclaimed "Segar Amat !" which means "Very Refreshing". The rest is history.

I do not know much about the history of this town. But according to my dad, the earliest business activities were concentrated along the river bank. Wooden shop houses were built and later as the town prospered, they were replaced with brick houses (shown in this picture)

68 years is not very long compared to many historical town, but it is long enough to see many changes and transformations in the town.

The back alley.

The door.

Maku

2008-03-10T05:50:00.000-07:00

He doesn't like dog food. He eats soil. He hates birds and cats. He sleeps a lot.

Coconut 2

2008-03-04T18:16:00.000-08:00

Nature itself is art.

Coconut man 1

Coconut man 2

Coconut man 3

Coconut mum and son

Take me, take me~~~

Kowai coconut man

I am not racist

Coconut Part 1

2008-02-22T05:43:00.000-08:00

Ah, it is good to be back home, in a sunny place, where you can wear a t-shirt, a pants and a slippers.
No more muffler, no more winter jacket, no more runny nose. Hehehe

Lovely Segamat

2008-02-20T00:46:00.000-08:00

Ah,,, it is always good to be back home.

Shanghai Museum 上海博物館

2008-02-02T04:51:00.000-08:00

I have only been to 2 museums in China, Suzhou Museum , and this one. It is said to be the best museum in China. Not bad at all if you want see China summarized in this modern style museum.

I particularly like "China Furniture" section.

It is a small world series....

Random China

2008-01-24T07:23:00.000-08:00

Zhou Zhuang 2

2008-01-18T05:07:00.000-08:00

1

2

3

4.This is super yummy ! Pork leg cooked with anise.

5.Do not miss this in Zhou Zhuang.

6

7

8

Coming of Age Day

2008-01-15T06:31:00.000-08:00

Coming of Age Day is celebrated on the second Monday of January.

This is one -- bad taste.

Remembering her "Coming of Age Day"

Zhou Zhuang

2008-01-05T21:18:00.000-08:00

Zhou Zhunag is a small town in Jiangsu province, China, about 30km from Suzhou. It is famous as a water township, and often been called the Venice of the East.

I personally like Zhou Zhuang despite the fact it is becoming heavily tourist lately.

Suzhou Museum

2007-12-30T04:31:00.000-08:00

In the modern architectural field, I. M. Pei earns a high reputation and is a well-known architect. He is the only world-class Chinese architect as well as one of the most important architectural artists in the 20th century.... (Suzhou Museum)

In Japan, Pei designed Miho Museum in Shiga, which house extensive private collection of Mihoko Koyama, who was the richest woman in Japan.

Pei loves this musuem so much, that he personally contributed to the construction of the museum. Partly, also because his ancestors are from Suzhou too.
This museum is said to be his last masterpiece.

Other famous masterpiece by Pei are Bank of China in Hong Kong, John Fitzgerald Library in Boston and the Pyaramid of the Louvre in Paris. He is the first Asian Architect to won the famous Pritzker Prize in 1983

Autumn 2007 Part 2- Sento Imperial Palace, Kyoto Omiya Imperial Palace

2007-12-11T21:02:00.000-08:00

Kyoto Imperial Palace outer ground.

The entrance to Kyoto Omiya Imperial Palace, which is connected to Sento Imperial Palace.

Entrance to the garden of Kyoto Omiya Imperial Palace, the North Pond can be seen here.

View of the North Pond.

Riots of autumn colors.

Peeping back at North Pond, while walking towards Sento Imperial Palace.

This path leading towards the South Pond, which made up most of Sento Imperial Palace garden is amazingly beautiful.

Again, the riots of colors.

The "Momiji Bridge", named such due to its beautiful momiji tree around the bridge.

Another shot of Momiji Bridge.

The Famous scene for spring at Sento Imperial Palace, is at this South Pond, shored with oval, almost identical stones. The shore is named Su-hama.

Hatsuhasi- the zig-zag bridge at South Pond, Sento Imperial Palace.

Sento Imperial Palace has burnt down in the 17th Century, and not rebuild since, what is left is just the South Pond, and its beautiful gardens, and 2 tea-houses.

Random shot

Random shot.

Just like entering a painting, it's a bliss.

Autumn 2007 Part 1 - Kourankei 香嵐渓

2007-12-05T18:36:00.000-08:00

Green is good

Dreamy Kourankei

Kourankei after noon.

The best of Korankei is the scarlet maple leaves in autumn. As it is said to be the No.1 place to see colored maple leaves in the Tokai region, it is really outstanding to see 4,000 maple trees that are painted with yellow and red colors. The best time to see them would be in the middle through to the end of November. They are lit up in the evenings throughout November from the sunset to 9:00 p.m. You may enjoy a fantastic scene that is different from the daytime. source

Reflection

2007-11-10T18:54:00.000-08:00

A part of Suzhou town is beautifully lit up at night.

Panda dog?

The Master of Nets Garden, 网师园 , Suzhou

2007-10-27T17:06:00.000-07:00

There are a few versions of story explaining the weird name given to this small yet one of the finest garden in Suzhou. Some said the officer that resided there decided to give up bureaucracy and become a fisherman, but other said that the name is given such because of its location near to WangShi road.

Whatever the explanation it is, I agree with the claim that this is the best if not one of the finest Suzhou garden. Quoting Lonely Planet China - "it is worth a visit as it's better than all the others COMBINED".

I wasn't expecting much because it is the last garden during my trip to Suzhou. At this moment, I do not know why I had put it on the last in my list. If not, I would have visited it twice.

This garden was first constructed in the Song Dynasty in 1140 AD, and now even has a replica in Museum of Metropolitan of Art New York.

It was quite cloudy, and the all the pictures that I took at this garden turned out dark and dull. Hmm, I wish I could go there again on a bright sunny day.

想留在留園　(Lingering Garden, Suzhou)

2007-10-25T05:23:00.000-07:00

Walking into a Suzhou garden is like entering a Chinese painting. Unlike Japanese garden where tidiness comes first, Suzhou gardens are more towards letting the garden grows and shapes itself, at least that was what I could see.

This garden is in the UNESCO world heritage list, with history of more than 400 years. Like other famous garden in Suzho, the Lingering Garden seeks to create stunning natural landscape within limited space.

Light is one of the important key in creating beautiful Suzhou garden. Most corridors and rooms are designed to let only adequate lights in.

The use of limited space can been seen at this narrow corridor. Mirrors are used to reflect the image of the opposite side creating life paintings on the wall and making the narrow corridor looks spacious.

As Suzhou is pretty humid throughout the year, moss often grow on walls, creating dramatic effect to the garden. I really like those dirty walls covered with green and yellowish moss.

Moss that painted the wall.

I fell in love with the beauty Lingering Garden.

Remaking Hero

2007-10-20T17:40:00.000-07:00

I stepped into a Chinese restaurant and took my early lunch at Yuyuan, each moment hoping that the rain would stop. It didn't.
(later, I learned from the news that it was a typhoon that hit the southern part of China)

I became very restless, and started wandering in that 3-floors restaurant. Wandering in a restaurant is definitely a no-no, but I braved myself and reached the top floor where some 10 or more workers were having their lunch and preparing for work. I thought I would be told off, but they didnt say a word.

It was at 3rd floor, that I restlessness disappeared when I looked out from the window.
I saw a scene of drops of rain trickling down the roof.

A scene that very much resembled the first fighting scene between Jet Li and Donnie Yen in Hero.

I smiled, a bless, I told myself.

And, a scene of the fight .. from Hero

新天地　Xin Tian Di

2007-10-14T00:50:00.000-07:00

DIning at Xin Tian Di would probably take away your arm and leg.

This expensive area, developed by Hong Kong real estate companies, by re-developing old "shi ku men" houses (stone gate), has earn its status as "romantic old -Shanghai in modern world" and the place for the "hi-so" to hang out on weekends.

When Night Fall in Shanghai .... (1)

2007-10-10T18:34:00.000-07:00

Night scene of the skyline in Pudong area in Shanghai is surely something you cant afford to miss.

Occasionally, ferry with huge advertising LCD display sails by HuangPu river, disturbing your view of Pudong. :)

Oriental Pearl Tower, the rather odd structure in Pudong.

"The design of the building is based on a verse of the Tang Dynasty poem Pipa Song by Bai Juyi about the wonderful sprinkling sound of a pipa instrument, like pearls, big and small falling on a jade plate" -Wikipedia

Closer shot.

My next dream, is to walk across the highest observation bridge in the world when Shanghai World Financial Building (still in construction) is opened to public.

Modern Shanghai

2007-10-05T07:52:00.000-07:00

If you want to see a city that grows at the rate of more than 10% a year, you should come to Shanghai. The hustle and bustle of the city alone can tear you down. With the population already surpassing 25 millions, and keep swelling, the energy of the city is unbelievable.

There are activities at almost every corners of the city : old buildings are being knocked down, people are fast-moving and loud, bus and cars honk at every minute and never stop at pedestrian crossing, taxi drivers that don't drive but fly a car, etc.... the clock seems to tick faster in Shanghai.

Upon my arrival, the very first destination, was Shanghai Bund, which is also the first destination most tourists will head or should head to. It is in Shanghai Bund, where you can see the old and modern Shanghai all at once.

Laying beyond HuangPu river which basically divides the delta into Puxi (xi=west) and Pudong (dong=east), is the icon of modern China, the Pudong Skyline.

Pudong area was once a boggy farmland, which supplies Shanghai with farm and poultry products. Development of Pudong started roughly around 1990.

Glittering in the evening sun, is Jin Mao Tower (middle) which is the tallest building in China and the soon to be finished Shanghai World Financial Centre, which will take away the title from Jin Mao Tower. On top of Shanghai World Financial Center building is a circular opening, where a observation bridge will be built across it, making it the highest observation platform from a building in the world.

As Pudong is facing the east , the skyline glitters like diamond in the evening. Very beautiful.

I eagerly waited for night to fall in Shanghai.

Next post, Shanghai's night view.

Arashiyama 嵐山

2007-09-06T19:49:00.000-07:00

Arashiyama looks near to my aparment in Rakusai on the map, but a bicycle ride to Arashiyama took me more than half an hour, much longer than I expected. The supposedly refreshing ride was actually tiring due to the summer heat.

The lake in Arashiyama is created from the retention of the downstream flow of Hozugawa.

I have never rowed a boat before.

If you walk along the trail that runs along Hozugawa, you will see this bright shale (is it shale? ) at the end of the trail.

At the end of the trail.

For those who seek more adventurous hike, there is a small trail which lead to the upper part of the stream, where the flow is more powerful. But, the trail is a bit dangerous and sometimes slippery.

There is a narrow shore upstream, where you can do some picnic and barbecue. Away from normally crowded picnic sites, this place is peaceful. Occasionally, you can see the red Romantic Arashiyama train passing by, up above you.

To me, sitting down on the beach, hearing the sound of water gushing down, smashing on rocks is worth the hike.

Tips for photographer:

Hozugawa divides the Arashiyama mountain into 2 sides, one facing the rather south and the other facing rather north. Because Japan is in the North Hemisphere, during autumn, the sun does not really set exactly in the West, and rise exactly in the East, but rises rather North-East and sets in the South-West

In autumn, the sun will shine on the side facing the north. Be early if you want to take good picture of the beautiful Arashiyama mountain. 7 am or 8 am is the best time.
Past noon, both sides of the mountain will be rather dull, as the sun goes behind the mountain. As evening is short in autumn, the side facing the south will only have slight amount of sunlight.

Be as early as possible.

Passion For Photography

2007-08-27T03:39:00.000-07:00

I just started my photo blog.

Conquering Mount Fuji

2007-08-23T17:43:00.000-07:00

Mount Fuji which is scrapping the sky at 3776m is the most climbed mountain in Japan, not only due to the fact that it is the highest peak, but also a sacred peak for annual pilgrimage.

Most climbers start their journey at night to catch the sun rise at the peak. Besides, it is too hot in summer to climb in day time.

Proper timing is important to catch the sunrise at the peak. As first timer, we could not time our journey, allocating too much time to catch our breath (or rather my breath) and most of time trying to follow other cimbers.
We were also worried of reaching the peak too early as the temperature at the peak might hit negative. I, who lacked sleep, (who doesnt, climbing at wee hours), of course preferred to sleep longer at the huts.

As we reached the height of aboiut 3500m, we began to notice the horizon, which means that sunrise is near the corner. As we knew that it was impossible to reach the peak to catch the sunrise, we finally slowed down and waited for the sun to poke out of the horizon.

Watching sun rise, on the highest peak in the Land of The Rising Sun, is something to be proud of ?
I am not sure of that, but many who had attempted and anticipated spectacular twilight at Fuji-san were turned down either by thick fog, clouds, or even typhoon. So I guess, we were lucky enough, even though we were not at the peak (but very close to the peak) to view the sun rise.

The fact that we were not at the peak during the sun rise was actually an advantage.
We could frame our pictures better and even see the shadow of Fuji-san.

We do not always need to be the best to be at the best !

Looking down from the altitude of 3500m, was ocean of clouds bathing in the first sun ray of the day.

Finally, as we had nothing to chase after, we slowed down our pace, and reached the peak at 8am.
It was clear and sunny up there. We flew Malaysian flag up there, showing our patriotism to our beloved country (but thumbs down to most of the pathetics leaders)

View from top.

As Lonely Planet said "Fuji-san is a serious mountain for climbers". Yes, now I agree. It is not very hard with adequate food and rest, but can be challenging or even torturing if you dont prepare yourself properly.

Biwa-ko Fireworks 2007 (2)

2007-08-16T23:40:00.000-07:00

The vertical series ....

Over-exposed

Biwa-ko Fireworks 2007

2007-08-13T07:02:00.000-07:00

Lake Biwa is the biggest lake in Japan, with surface area of 670.33km2, which is almost the size of Singapore (689km2). This is really a big lake !

Every year on the 8th of August, fireworks matsuri (fiesta), will be held, attracting almost 35000 visitors, mostly from Kansai area.

According to Biwa-ko Fireworks website, the 1 hour firework display involve 10 000 numbers of fireworks. The highest number of fireworks in a single display in Japan is the PL Fireworks held in Osaka on every 1 st of August. (wiki source). About 100 000 fireworks are used in PL firework festival.

Crowds started gathering around the lake from 2pm. Since the shore is long and wide, you might still be able to find a spot at 5pm.

Sakura style ! :-)

Fan style

Butterflies

Mix

1-2-3

Neon

Complex

Climax

I will post a series on vertical shots in the next post. :)
You can see the rest of the shots in my Flickr too.

Paddy Field

2007-07-23T07:27:00.000-07:00

I was always eager to know about this small town behind the mountain on the East side of Katsura. Last Saturday, I decided to take the risk, totally unprepared, and only armed with my camera, I boarded Keihan bus No 2, heading to Kameoka.

Arriving at this small town (ghost town), I had no idea where to head to. I walked towards Kameoka JR station, and stumbled upon this vast paddy field just behind the station.

The red bicycle.

Wild flower at the field

Rotting carrots on the ground

The ghost house

Faces of Gion Matsuri

2007-07-19T03:01:00.000-07:00

Yama-Hoko

Lanterns

I am going home.

京都　の　靴

2007-07-05T05:59:00.000-07:00

Bamboo Forest 竹林

2007-06-18T07:37:00.000-07:00

A stroll in the bamboo forest quickly reminds me of the scene in The House of Flying Daggers

The kanji for Bamboo Forest is 竹林, pronounced as Chiku-rin.

Scene from The House of Flying Daggers, directed by one of the best Chinese director, Zhang Yimou

A Beautiful Evening

2007-06-16T07:12:00.000-07:00

A beautiful evening like this is rare.
It reminds me of a phrase in the song Lagenda (Legend) by Sheila Majid

~~Sebutir Bintang di angkasa, Sinarnya Mempersona

Lagenda by Sheila Majid

Give me a Break

2007-06-01T07:44:00.000-07:00

I have been wasting my time lately, not productive at all.
It has been already 2 months, and there is still no sign of any result or improvement in my research.
Ahhh, this long winding road... I can't even see my next step.
Give me a break .

Dance

2007-05-21T18:51:00.000-07:00

Summer is THIS close

2007-05-14T07:13:00.000-07:00

I love summer because it reminds me of Home.

Sadly, every summer also reminds me that the world is ailing and near the END

Photo taken at Kiyamachi Street, Kyoto

Photo of the Day

2007-05-04T19:17:00.000-07:00

Beijing Zoo.

Matsuo Dai Jinja

2007-04-29T07:18:00.000-07:00

Written in my new Kyoto local guide book, "Matsuo Shrine has more than 3000 yellow Japanese rose planted......" Wow..

But from my observation around the shrine inner and outer compounds, my number just couldn't agree with the number the guide book (even the shrine pamphlet) has claimed.
Not that I actually counted the number of Japanese rose, but there was no "abundance feel" or "volume feel" I was expecting for 3000 nos.

Nevertheless, this channel running outside the temple main compound has a scenic view to offer.

Temple of Heaven

2007-04-25T16:58:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from Wikipedia on Temple of Heaven :

"Temple of Heaven, literally the Altar of Heaven (Traditional Chinese: 天壇; Simplified Chinese: 天坛; pinyin: Tiāntán; Manchu: Abkai mukdehun) is a complex of Taoist buildings situated in southeastern urban Beijing, in Xuanwu District. Construction of the complex began in 1420, and was thereafter visited by all subsequent Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is regarded as a Taoist temple, although the worship of Heaven, especially by the reigning monarch of the day, pre-dates Taoism."

I came across a restaurant with the name 天壇 (Tian Dan) in Kyoto last week. It is a Yakiniku restaurant !

A Cold Day at Badaling Great Wall

2007-04-18T18:03:00.001-07:00

IMG_0187, originally uploaded by Eddie PHT.

Most people know the history behind this Great Wall, so I will save my time not writting any historical facts about it. But, there is a myth, a long believed myth, the myth that Great Wall of China is the only human made structure visible from the space (or more exaggeratingly, from the moon) has been proved to be incorrect.
As the first Chinese man in space, Yang Liwei said "The scenery was very beautiful," . "But I didn't see the Great Wall."

Coffee

2007-04-14T21:05:00.000-07:00

This new coffee shop in Kawaramachi, Kyoto is selling Okinawa Black Sugar Coffee.

I do not know the name of the shop, but it is a few shops away from the new Jankara (previous building of Maruzen) in Kawaramachi.

Coffee at home.

Qian Hai (前海） & Hou Hai（後海）

2007-04-06T06:52:00.000-07:00

Both Qian Hai (front sea) and Hou Hai (back sea) are actually not sea but a lake seperated into 2 distinct parts, the front part (therefore front sea) and the back part (therefore back sea).
Situated near the Drum Tower (Gu Luo) which is about 10 minutes of bus ride from Tianmen Square, this place is a must for those who want to see East meets West, as along the lake fringe are modern bars, restaurants and souvenier shops blending into antique traditional houses and "hutong" neighbourhood.

Drum tower at distant. (middle building)

At nightfall.

Guess what is behind the door? A pizza parlour !!

I love this place.

Forbidden City

2007-04-03T04:08:00.000-07:00

From afar.

Mr Mao Zhe Dong in front of Tianan-men (The gate of Heavenly Peace)

I feel safer in Beijing than in Kuala Lumpur. Maybe because they have increased the number of policemen in the city as a part of the preparation for Olympic 2008.

Inside the forbidden wall.

One of the many halls in the Forbidden City. There are more than 9000 rooms in total!

These are not ancient flusks. But they are antique to me.

Ancient gate with modern lock.

Hating and Loving Beijing

2007-04-01T16:29:00.000-07:00

Beijing struck me with its many great historical sites- almost all are human made. But I was also blowed away by its rude bus-drivers and shop attendants. I was also unprepared for the sand storm which worsened the already bad air.

Goodbye winter

2007-02-16T22:05:00.000-08:00

I hate winter the most, of all the seasons here in Japan.
It is dull, cold, and hostile sometimes. It makes you feel down, less productive and sometimes even very depressing.
Winter is never forever, neither do spring, summer and autumn.
Life is just like a rollorcoaster, it has its up and down point.
Well, tomorrow is Chinese New year. I wish all my Chinese friends a Prosperous Pig Year !!
Gong Xi Fa Chai

A sparrow --never will be a phoenix

2007-02-16T01:12:00.000-08:00

It is almost the end of the long winding journey in the life as a master student. Having said that, doesnt mean that I am already a wise man with great knowldege and understanding of what I have learnt.
Everyone started that long winding road, and ended at the same point at the same time. What has made that journey different is what we have earned and lost along the way.
I thought I had finally reached the destination the other day.
But alas, I took for granted, picking up my pace, and tripped and fell in humiliation.
I stood up with mud on my face. I lurched towards the destination and did not even want to clean the mud off my face. Be a clown for a while-- what's the big deal.

"You" out there. I may be just a sparrow.
But you, a phoenix, is it any better than just a legend ?

La Vista - How easy to Install

2007-02-06T20:24:00.000-08:00

Let's stop saying that Vista is a copy version of OS X.
Watch this and you will know that Vista does not copy OS X.

Click here
Not only that, Vista is so easy to install.

BLOGGING OUT MY STRESS

2007-01-31T06:18:00.000-08:00

Guess what, I am at the most stressful level of my life, struggling to finish my master thesis.
It is not the problem that I dont know what to do, it is that luckly stars are not on my side lately.

That bloody CIP (Cubic Interpolation Polynomial) caused me great pain. I was working together with my sensei for one week , but alas, unable to figure out the bloody bugs that made my flow simulation went crazy everytime the flow level reaches the floor.

Anyway, the bug is fixed, not 100% but at least workable to produce some data for my thesis.

The problem is to run this bloody heavy program, 12 simulations, each needs 24 hours.
Where the hell can i get enough PC to run it?
I am currently using 3 (1 is mine, the second is my foreign labmate, the 3rd is also from foreign labmat who let me use it after 8pm).

I have no choice, but to bring my Mac to the lab today, to continue the word processing work.
Tough, and I deeply regretted not planning well ahead of time.

There are other factors that put me in this situation , I never want to mention it here.

I hope that my thesis will be ready by the 13th, hot from the oven, hopefully, nicely baked.

A Friendship With a Value of a Flight ticket.

2007-01-16T06:11:00.000-08:00

Friendship, hmm is the last thing that I should talk about here.
In my life, I have really few good friends. But those really few good friends, are friends who are always there to share your pain and gain.
Some friends are only friends to share your gain.

Another 1 month before the deadline of my thesis...argh,..I am counting my days.

The Hunt for the DURIAN

2007-01-06T08:23:00.000-08:00

One man's meat is another man's poison.
I was laughing away watching this 2 English men eating Durian...haha,
Btw, I have never seen a canned Jack-fruit.

Flood Washed Away Humanity

2006-12-23T16:46:00.001-08:00

I must post about my town recent flood disaster , not on the physical flood itself but how humanity was washed away too, (before my anger subsides).

Segamat town, received a 100-year return rain on the 20th,21th and 22th of Dec, with an average of 35cm of rainfall in a day. (that is about 1/6 of Japan total annual rainfall !!! ).
Of course, as my town is run into half by a mid-size river, the Segamat river, the other side of the flood-prone part of the town was flooded after the rain.

Not that Malaysia's Meteorological department didnt do their job properly, (although they often do), they even had meteorological data from the US, and Japan predicting heavy rain heading towards the southern part of the country. As we never prepare for the worst, the worst finally paid its visit.

Houses were flooded up to the roof top, and affecting thousands of residents, especially in a Chinese residential area , and a Malay plantation settler village (situated behind this Chinese residential area).

At this critical point, only 4 boats were available to evacuate the affected residents. I repeat FOUR boats, not a big ferry, but a boat which can fit 2-3 person, and their DVD player and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siti_Nurhaliza DVD

So I thought the story of humanity being washed away were just a make up until I called back home to a friend whose family was one of the victims.

According to my friend, although the Chinese were waving from the roof top, the BOAT never stop to pick them up. REASON? "There are more to save in the Malay plantation".

Alright, after saving the MALAY, the Chinese should be saved, we are Malaysian afterall.

NOPE, want a ride, PAY please.
As reported in the Star Newspaper, a soldier were asking for RM 4000 (about 15000 yen) to save the daughter of a Chinese lady ! Duh, isnt that a SIN? I do not want to curse him to HELL, because that is a sin too.
In less urgent cases, the army were demandind RM250 (about 8000 yen)

NEXT, no food is distributed to my friends residential area, although water level is already up tp the roof top.
REASOn? We are not Malay, we can survive without DEPENDING on the government.

Flood began to subside slowly, and aids are just on its way.
3000 thousand red cresent member were sent out, FOOD company donating food, and Prime Minister started visiting affecting area. BUT, how will this aid be distributed? On skin color again?

Another humanity story after the flood, PARASITES.
Malay were seen to have break into shoplots to steal, and also started collecting DVD players, Cigarattes, and DVD ,etc floating out from shops and supermarket. Thank you and congratulations, you just pass the recruitment for the Municipal Rubbish Collection Centre.

My deepest condolensce to those who lost their loves one, no matter you are Malay, Indian or Chinese.

I hope to see Segamat, shinning clean again.

Tracking Christmas Gift

2006-12-21T03:12:00.000-08:00

December 19, 2006 17:18 Barcelona - Spain Shipment picked up

December 20, 2006 19:07 Barcelona - Spain Departing origin

December 20, 2006 22:43 Barcelona - Spain Departed from DHL facility in Barcelona - Spain

December 21, 2006 00:56 Brussels - Belgium Arrived at DHL facility in Brussels - Belgium

December 21, 2006 04:24 Brussels - Belgium Departed from DHL facility in Brussels - Belgium

December 21, 2006 08:04 Amsterdam - Netherlands, The Arrived at DHL facility in Amsterdam - Netherlands, The

December 21, 2006 10:41 Amsterdam - Netherlands, The Departed from DHL facility in Amsterdam - Netherlands, The

Still waiting.....

Japan And Its Nuclear Fantasies

2006-12-02T21:19:00.000-08:00

This is a excerpt from MalaysiaKini, (a rather free from the Malaysian Government online newspaper), written by Josh Hong. (Chan's friend? )

Sixty-one years after its defeat in the Pacific War, Japan is finally set to be given a full ministry of defence, paving the path for it to become a “normal” country as many a hawkish politician in the land of the rising sun has been wishing.

On Thursday, the House of Representatives of the Japanese Diet passed a defence bill with a view to revising the Defence Agency Establishment Law, which would lead to the upgrading of the Defence Agency to a ministry. Once passed also by the House of Councilors, which is almost a done deal given the current political climate in the country, it will have far-reaching ramifications as far as Japan’s relations with its Asian neighbours are concerned.

Unlike Germany and its European allies, Japan has never sincerely come to terms with its colonial past, which has hindered a healthier and rational interaction between Tokyo and the regional capitals from emerging.

The Takasago people, one of the aboriginal ethnic groups in Taiwan, for instance, have been making effort to have the spirits of their ancestors who had fought for the imperial Japan in World War II removed from the highly controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, to no avail. The Shintoist religious forces have refused to compromise because, according to Japanese customs, dead spirits cannot be separated. The Japanese state has, as always, chosen to stand idly by.

Ozaki Hotsuki, a critical Japanese writer, once reproached such incongruous behavior by saying that the religious leaders only allowed Japan’s colonial subjects to die as Japanese but not live as Japanese, far less as fellow human beings of dignity.

China, the de facto regional power, has also been using history as a pawn in dealing with Japan. Early last year, Beijing lent tacit support to a number of civic groups to take to the streets in protest of Tokyo’s history textbook revisions, successfully projected itself as the sole legitimate defender of Chinese interests.

Repairing the rift

The Chinese leaders have hoped to repair the tumultuous relationship with the Japanese after the departure of the troublesome Junichiro Koizumi as prime minister. Shinzo Abe, Koizumi’s anointed successor, seized the moment and visited Beijing on an ice-breaking trip without having to promise not to pay respects at the Yasukuni Shrine. That the Chinese leaders were willing to drop the very demand that they had made in regard to Koizumi goes to show the “flexibility” of the Chinese leadership. A number of pro-China commentators, always in service to their political masters, have argued that a little bit of leeway had to be given in order to put the vital Sino-Japanese relations back on the right track.

In any case, that the Defence Agency is set to become a ministry is a cause for concern. Adding fuel to the fire, Taro Aso, the firebrand foreign minister, reiterated Japan’s capabilities of producing nuclear weapons while ruling out the intention to do just that despite the recent testing of a nuclear bomb by North Korea.

Prior to that, Aso, along with Shoichi Nakagawa, Chairman of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s Policy Research Council, had opined that the time had come for Japan to open the debate over whether Japan should possess nuclear weapons.

What is most worrying is Abe’s refusal to distance himself from Taro and Nakagawa. Instead, he defended their right to speak in a private capacity, stating that discussions on important issues should not be stifled. After all, Abe has been known to be as nationalist as his predecessor – if not more.

Nuclear possibilities

Much as Israel, Japan’s sophisticated nuclear industry is a given fact. Alarmed by the increasing conservative political climate and the growing siege mentality of the ordinary Japanese living in an uncertain age, Ichiyo Muto, a renowned pacifist, told me Japan had explored nuclear possibilities in the past, only to come to the conclusion that such endeavour was not necessary so long as Washington remained committed to defending Tokyo.

Which is the reason why US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been quick to lance the boil over Aso’s nuclear talk. Rice has called on Tokyo not to react to Pyongyang by pursuing its own nuclear weapons, and reaffirmed Japan’s position under the US’ nuclear umbrella by saying that Washington would use the “full range” of powers to defend its ally.

However, Aso’s fiery remarks are only likely to be phony at best. As things stand now, a recalcitrant North Korea is the only real threat to Japan’s security, over which the combined influence of Tokyo and Washington is minimal. The only country that can exert real leverage on Pyongyang is, like it or not, Beijing. Aso’s repeated verbal threats are hence targeted at his Chinese counterparts as he seeks to increase the pressure on Beijing for swift and effective actions over the issue.

Fully aware of their limited role, the Japanese and the Americans are happy to leave the hot potato in the hands of the Chinese. The Chinese leadership is now finding itself in an unenviable situation of having to produce greater and more positive outcome through the six-party talks, failing which China’s credentials as a regional power to reckon with will be put in serious doubt.

Aso, being a seasoned politician, should know better than anyone else the factors that conspire against Japan becoming a nuclear power. Once armed with nuclear powers, Japan would be able to wrest free of US control, something that the Americans are not keen to see. A nuclear-armed Japan is also certain to find itself more isolated in a region that is known for power competition that remains complicated by history issues.

Last but not least, Japan, being formed of islands devoid of vast hinterland, and plagued by its dense populations in the urban areas, is an easy target for retaliation from its hostile neighbours – whoever they may be.

The Sinking of Japan, a blockbuster disaster novel in the 1970s, depicts the horrible physical disappearance of Japan into the seas. Both Abe and Aso must have read the novel when they were younger. A nuclear-armed Japan will only quicken the materialization of this otherwise entertaining fantasy.

The Color of Autumn in Kyoto ~ Arashiyama

2006-11-28T04:43:00.000-08:00

Early morning at 830am

The Togetsu Bridge

The Hozu river.

The Hozu river boat ride claim few lives each year, no kidding, (source: my Japanese friend )

The Torokko train ride.

The Torokko Arashiyama station.
Tips : If you want to avoid the long queue for the Torokko train ride, I suggest you buy the ticket at Torokko Arashiyama station instead of the first station, Sagano Station.

Torokko Arashiyama is situated at the adn of the famous Sagano bamboo trail. (picture below)

Sagano bamboo trail

Where the pandas used to live....

tag: arashiyama ,sagano ,autumn , kyoto

Sento Villa Kyoto

2006-11-27T00:29:00.000-08:00

After missing Shugakuin Villa (all my fault of booking the wrong place, haha)
we were finally able to compensate our lost as Sento is not only easily accessible,
but offers a 18-acres beautiful garden with its North and South pond shored with
either carpets of red maples leaves, or round oval stones.

sento , imperial+villa ,kyoto+omiya+palace

They are Back

2006-11-19T06:31:00.000-08:00

These boys were so good that they were mentioned in one of the Japanese entertainment programme hosted by V6. V6 challenged the teenagers of Japan to come up with their act.
I have watched a few of the Japanese doing the mouth mimicking thing, but they are not as good as this 2 boys.

They are back again.

P/S : they are Chinese (from China).

Malaysia, Tanahair-ku

2006-11-16T18:27:00.000-08:00

Pointing out Malaysian stupidity

Mac Fish

2006-11-02T20:18:00.000-08:00

I am currently trying out Japanese blog service.
There are many company which provide free blog service in Japan,
Goo Blog,Excite and　Live Door to name a few.

excite mac fish

Loving Racist Joke

2006-10-30T04:33:00.000-08:00

Well, growing up in a multiracial country is sometimes a bless- (bless in the sense that I really enjoy Russel Peters's jokes). Here, when I say multiracial, I do not mean countries like the USA, or Australia or even Canada, where the minorities will try their best to blend into the majorities.
In the case of "multiracial" in Malaysia, the minorities are not actually minor in number, therefore, it is terribly hard to blend all of them together to produce a single race- therefore you will never hear any Malaysian declaring themselve as Malaysian race.

I attended the national school in my town. Yeah, national school is a school for all spectrum of colors, and therefore befriended the Indians, and of course the Malays. When you have friends, you have enemies as well. It is only in this spectrum of colors, in the unblendable cultures of the races, that you can hear the funniest racist joke. Be it steoreotyping, racist, or whatever terms you want to label it, they bear some truth behind it. And I enjoyed it, as long as they dont send "regard" to my family.

Peter Russells is my racist joker today - currently a rising Canadian standing comedian.

Check it out! If you are against racism, please do not proceed beyond this point.

Tech Tags: russell peters racist joke

Renovation in Progress

2006-10-26T19:54:00.000-07:00

I am currently refurbishing my blog, be patient with the current weird layout.
refurbish layout

Don't Force The Cow to Drink

2006-10-19T20:41:00.000-07:00

Writing a blog can be meaningless sometimes. You need to scratch your head figuring new ideas to attract more readers, or buy a new gadgets and show it off in the blog. Of course these are not all you can do to post in a blog.

I recently found out that the best place to release my dissatisfaction and complaints, is actually in my blog. Initially planned as a travel log blog, the theme later shift to events and festival photos posting, and recently, a place for "nuclear test"- my complaints.

Well, actually at this point of writing, I actually forgot what I wanted to complain, and someshow the anger begin to subside. Talking about anger, I recently found out that my neighbour is a nocturnal homosapiens. You know what I mean right ? Never want to repeat history, I hope my friendly complaints to this nocturnal guy's friends will somehow work the way out to imply that his neighbour is complaning about the late-night feet thumping fiesta, or the full Dolby Surround soap-opera at wee hours.

Arashiyama is still green, Matsuo river bank is still welcoming parties, these place are never too far if you are seeking peace in the green, or at least not too far compare to Kastura (my apartment). Ah, actually Mastuo is one station after Kastura station. Anyway, who would want to come to Kastura where there is no Kwai Low to hang around, you know hanging with kwai-low is so cool.

Well, as the Cantonese saying goes "don't force the cow to drink. If the pasture is greener on the other side, why not the herds walk a bit further?

cow to drink

The Baseball Game- Junior

2006-10-17T18:10:00.000-07:00

Coming soon...hehehe
baseball boy

:P

2006-10-15T19:19:00.000-07:00

Hehe, a shot using Ai Ling's toy lense

Is MY leg beautiful ?

2006-10-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

I love chicken feet. I mean cooked chicken feet of course. I dont know if you aliens out there eat chicken feet as well. When I say feet, I mean the whole feet with its claw.
My mum doesnt like cooking chicken feet, but my father and I enjoy eating chicken feed at this Chinese stall. Yummy. They have this chicken feet cooked until they are so tender, so tender you can just suck the whole flesh off the bones. Some choose to fry the feet. Crunchy.
But I still love chicken feet cooked with salted pickled vege a.k.a "kiam chai" in Hokkien.

Well, lets move a few inches above the feet- the leg. Talking about leg, I strained my muscle after one week of cycling up that bloody Kastura campus slope. Now I understand why those Japanese students would choose to push their bic up the hill instead of cycling on it. Well one of the reasons is that their bics are not as good as mine (how many gears? err.. back (6) x front (?) = ?? gears). hehehehe.
You guys must be thinking that riding down that slope must be easy and fun with that gravity sucking you down to flat land.. NO, NO, if you are not properly trained, or a degree holder in Physics , NEVER TRY neh. Never let your bicycle goes down with that speed. Kinematics tells you that final velocity,V equals u+gt ). Thus, do the math - what is V after 5 mins of time elapse. ( for those who unfamiliar with g, let me tell you that g is gravitational acceleration, 9.81m/s/s, althought it might be faster now after that super-earthquake in Acheh ). Eh, am i right ? I just blufffed you.

Let me tell you another short anecdote, nothing to do with feet or leg.
Until now, I still couldn't figure out which bus I should take in Katsura station to go home.I took the wrong bus last week. I ended up being the last one in the bus. Thank god, the last stop is at Takashimaya (not the Takashimaya in Shijo). This Takashimaya is really "big", it will make you wanna go home and cry. Aiya, back to the bus story. It is just about 10 mins walk from Takashimaya to my apartment. So I walked back in that cold night, occasionally, being irritated by those night-rider with exhaust pipe problem. F*ckg Ah beng.

Today, actually just now , I was hanging with 3 of my best Malaysian friends in the town (pssst, one of them asked me whether her legs were beautiful in her new pair boots..., not bad lar, Convent girl), and I missed the last bus from Shijo back to my apartment. I had no choice but to take the Hankyu train to Kastura Station and then from there by bus back to my apartment.
Guess what. The brainier part of my 2 halves brain was telling me that I should try another bus company. I did listened to the left part, and headed to Keihan Bus bus stand. Politely, I asked a Japanese lady, whether bus no 23 will pass by the bus stand near Video One (near my apart). BI-DE-O WAN?? HAI HAI. DAIjyoubu.

Surely at this point I guess you know what I am going to tell you in the next sentence. YES< I was in the wrong bus again. Hell... and this bus was taking me deeeeeeeEeeeeeeep...into the bamboo forest, where once the pandas used to live before they decided to move to China- coz they dont like the sushi country.
My nerves kicked my reflex to press the button. I WANT TO GET DOWN NOW.
DAIJYOUBU your head ! 160 yen was gone, and I was in the middle of nowhere.

The real culprit was my right side brain. I thought NAKAYAMA was same as KOKUDO NAKAYAMA. Both are NAKAYAMA, so i thought different company label the bus stop slightly differently. Hell, I was so wrong, I do not want to listen to any DAIJYOUBU lady any more.

Here, I am sitting in front of my computer complaining again.
And my legs, they worked too much today.

Clocks (not by Coldplay)

2006-10-13T08:29:00.000-07:00

There were this small furniture shopping going on in my lab for the past few weeks. Hell, I was sitting there trying to concentrate on my program, but were constantly disturbed by the internet and catalouge shopping spree. They were making polite noise, but to me very disturbing. Why in the hell did they need to make so much discussion over whether getting a brown clock or a black color clock? Does it really matter what the color is?

And hell, hell, (sorry hell), why did they need to put 4-5 Kyodai student with IQ >100 to figure out which coffee maker is will make a good coffee, or which umbrealla rack will suit better with the new grey carpet?

Oh, I was tortured, "mimi ga chooto sawatta yo"

It is a gift to be able to grasp Japanese with 6 months basic intensive lesson, but it is also a curse (oops, too much MONK drama series). If you understand a sound, how can you not notice it?
I am not a Camel that can close their nostril automatically. I wish God has created human with ear that can flap-so tat they only hear what they want to listen.

Hey, I hope none of my labmates are reading my blog. Heheheh.
Hell, I dont care, because they dont care about the aliens as well. Hey you aliens out there, you know the Japs sometimes can see through opaque object right? hehehe. I also begin to pick up this new talent too, see what I want to see, and be able to see through things you dont feel like giving a shit. hehehe

Back to shopping spree, well well, the lab ended having few new things.- a 20000yen coffee maker, a 20000 coffee bean grinder, a new Seiko clock hangiing right on top my my head (I need to wear a helmet), what else... they also ordered a shoe rack, a new umbrealla stand.
Since the coffee maker arrived 2 days ago, those passing by through the corridor wonder since when Doutor opened a branch at Kastura.

I am going to try out the coffee maker as well. maybe latte or something. (hey 20,000 yen coffee maker, with milk stimmer, oK). Why not, I paid 200 yen for coffee-dai mah.

hehehe...haiya so many complaints. Need to blast my ear with my Green ipod now.

自慢の写真

2006-10-07T21:37:00.000-07:00

琵琶湖花火大会に取った写真ですけど。。

fireworks biwako biwa lake japan

Conquering Yakedake

2006-10-04T06:59:00.000-07:00

This is my final post on my trip to the so-called Alps of Japan, in Nagano.
After 3 hours of labour, we finally conquered the peak of mount Yakedake.

Clear blue sky up there, but the UV ray can be very strong

I love volcanic rocks, especially their arrangment, how I wish I could recreate those
arrangment in my 30cm*30cm aquarium, hehe.
For your info, 10 kg for nice Volcanic rock, sell for 10000 yen.

Look at us, so tiny amid the peak. Those people were actually looking at a volcanic
lake down there.

The caldera.

Down to the pond. Only 4 of us, not many of the hikers want to go down there.
I wonder why?

I love this pond, it is so Jurassic.

The vegetated part of the mountain.

Descending was not easy at all.

japan nagano yakedake volcano photo norikura

Another Rainy Days

2006-09-30T23:51:00.000-07:00

I hate rainy day since I came to Japan. The rain here doesnt stop in 1 or 2 hours, it continues the whole day and night, or sometimes days.

Actually, I dont really hate rain, but here in Japan, I dont have a car to move around, unlike when I am in Malaysia, no matter whether it is pouring cats and dogs, I dont really give a damn. Just pay a few ringgit, I will be sitting in a nice cafe in a shopping mall or in a Mamak coffee shop.

I am stuck in this tiny Japanese room today.
I am free and wanted to go out, but the rain is really spoiling my plan.

And my friends? They dont have a car too. And most of them, prefer to be imprisioned a 6 tatami room.

Who Is Brainier?

2006-09-26T20:55:00.000-07:00

Singapore Mentor Minister Lee Kuan Yew's recent naughty statement on the issue of marginalized Chinese communities in Malaysia and Indonesia has again sparked off fire between Malaysia and Singapore. (after the proposed scenic brigde issue).

His statment is of course disputable, but only up to a shallow depth.
There are thousands if not millions of "these people" who agree with LKY's nasty comment. Here are some comments that I personally think speak on behalf of majority of Chinese in Malaysia (or Indonesia).

"Chinese, Indian and other minor races are the catalyst for the weak and layback Malay, can u deny it? But when come to wellfare, these minority are not counted as citizens. They have to fork out their own resources to support their children's education,churches, temples, ... They are the minority yet they are the biggest faithful taxpayers. Malay claimed to be the majority but they are not patriotic in serving the nation, they only want to rob from the minority and say that what the minority have are theirs. These are facts. So, are the minority being marginalized? If not, what do you called NEP, and host of bias policies which only benefiting the majority?
Sometime I ask myself this silly question: Are the minority foreigners? If not, why they are being treated less significant than the illegal immigrants (IM)? IM do not hve to pay tax when dong business, they can get Mycard and cast vote, ... Simply saddness."

Another one,

"........government contracts and project......?
Civil service?
Approve permits?
Scholarships?
National Type schools funding?
University intakes?"

Our minister quickly responded to LKY comment, Defence Minister Dato's Seri Najib was the first to fire back, PM Pak Lah demanded an apology from LKY, and of course our ex-PM Tun Mahathir did not keep quite. Loud (but maybe a bit childish), challanged LKY intelligence, saying that LKY's recent comment revealed his stupidity.

Would LKY, who read law in Cambridge be smart to make such comment in a region surrounded by the Malays, and what is his motive in making such comment?
Would Mahathir, who study medicine in Singapore’s King Edward College of Medicine, inspired the tallest building in Malaysia be smarter than LKY to realized LKW's motive behind the comment?

Who is brainier, LKY or Mahathir?