I just realised today that it has been a month since my last update. Technically speaking, my last post was last year. I wouldn’t say I was having the time of my life, but when you no longer have uni assignments and exams to deal with, there’s always other things (eg. work) that bothers you. I have been taking it easy on the job-hunt. Heck, I haven’t even prepared my CV or resume to begin with.

So what have I actually done for the past month? Nothing much except for work and more work, really. Well, my niece, Sophie turned one month on 14th January. Here’s the cute little thing:

I have been a Nokia fanboy since I was 13. I still remember my first phone being a trusty Nokia 3210 (Google it if you’re too young to know the model), which had the best game ever (SNAKE!) during my schooling days. I would bring it to school and risk having it confiscated because it was against the school rules then (not sure about now). Later on I had the 3350, which introduced cooler ringtones and games. I had a 7250i when it first came out (one of the first phone with colour and polyphonic ring tones and camera!!) and then downgraded to a 8310 when my phone was robbed

The 8310 stayed with me for a year or so with me after I came to Perth, until I signed a contract for a N95, which was my phone for the past 2 years. I was deciding between the N97 and an iPhone 3GS, but finally couldn’t resist but to join the dark side – I got the iPhone.

Sad to say, I haven’t regretted the move from Nokia to Apple by the slightest bit. The UI is just too pretty and I love how it doesn’t lag at all, unlike Nokia’s line of “smart” N-series phones. Everything is right at my finger tips with the iPhone, and the app store is amazing, to say the least. Nokia has a lot of work to do to catch up in the game.

Happy Australia Day for all Aussies for tomorrow! =)

Possible related posts..

• December 25, 2009 -- 2009 – The Year That Was (3)
• December 19, 2009 -- Baby Sophie (1)
• December 10, 2009 -- Perth Skyline at Night – Pt 2 (1)
• December 8, 2009 -- Forte Music Festival 2009 (0)
• November 18, 2009 -- Perth Skyline at Night (4)
• October 19, 2009 -- Viola Photos (4)
• October 18, 2009 -- 100s and 1000s (5)

Happy stuff. I will be graduating in my double major Public Relations/Journalism degree this March after finding out yesterday that for my semester two results, I received two distinctions and a credit. I’m fairly comfortable with that as this semester was probably the most effort I’ve given in my three-year university life. I also just realised that of all the three years, six semesters of studies, I have taken 20 units with only one High Distinction. But I’m not the type who aims for the moon, so I’m fairly happy to settle among the clouds.

At work, I was transferred to the kitchen from the salad bar after my request late last year and have finally learned how to cook a proper steak to perfection – rare, mid-rare, medium, mid-well, well-done. Rumps, T-bones, petite fillets, grilled chicken, BBQ ribs, burgers. I’ve also developed a love and hate passion for the fryers, where I cooked chips, shrimps, calamari rings, nuggets, etc. The list just goes on and on but it had been a fun and challenging place to work in.

I was also recently “promoted” to be a salad bar certified trainer, meaning I get to wear a different coloured badge, but that’s not exactly a promotion as it involves a great deal of responsibility. Fellow colleagues don’t seem to understand that, unfortunately, but that’s another story. Then again, I’ll be looking for what people say, a “proper” job as soon as my CV/Resume are completed, so this job is not a keeper as far as I know.

Another happy note, I have become an uncle to a niece last Monday.

I have also purchased my very first brand new car this year and received it in August, which is a Hyundai i30 SX 2.0L Manual Hatchback.

Other happy things that happened this year – my photo was published for the first time (although just an ad), I bought a great lens earlier this year, taken reception photos for two lovely couples, Jack and Annie in April and Fadh and Winnie in August, photographed a school music concert in November for the very first time, photographed a rally for the very first time, and recently I was also asked by Annie to photograph her maternity photos.

As I said, there are the downs to every ups. Just like the Yin and Yang. Darkness and light. White and black. Evil and good. Fat and thin. Old and young. You get the drift.

Not-so-happy stuff. So my almost two-year relationship with L ended sometime in late July/early August. I think. I don’t think she knows exactly when either, but it was around that period of time when it happened. It was pretty much a mutual decision, and there wasn’t really a specific reason as to why it ended, but as long as we’re both happy with our decision, things will only get better from then.

Earlier in June, I contracted Swine flu. It wasn’t the best thing to happen to anyone, but I would say it was an experience to remember – being quarantined, getting calls from the health department every day to check on you. It almost felt like the movie, Blindess, but not that tragic of course, heh. But I survived and even blogged about it, so it’s not that bad I guess!

Now that I think about it, there isn’t really much that I can write about the downs worth mentioning for this past year other than the two I’ve already mentioned. Other not-so-happy times are mostly some of the assignments in uni that gives me the headaches and sometimes from work, but that’s life, no?

Now that I’ve listed the goodies and baddies this year, the ups have outweighed the downs, so I suppose I have had a good 2009. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the year 2010, where hopefully things will be better in terms of my wallet, work, health, and who knows, love.

I have also recently found out that I meet the minimum requirements for permanent residency application in Australia, so hopefully I can get the application sorted out ASAP.

Before I keep rambling on, I should probably stop here. Hereby, I wish each and every one of you a Merry, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Have a great and safe end of year!

Possible related posts..

• October 16, 2009 -- ChanRaymond dot net Turns Two! (2)
• August 7, 2008 -- HOYA CPL 52mm (2)
• May 31, 2008 -- The Confessional (6)
• May 21, 2008 -- Of Work and Uni (2)
• December 10, 2009 -- Perth Skyline at Night – Pt 2 (1)
• September 4, 2009 -- Assignments, assignments, assignments. (0)
• August 7, 2009 -- Hyundai i30 Hyper Silver SX 2.0L Manual (3)

Meet Baby Sophie, the new addition to the Chan family. She was born on the 14th of December 2009 at 11.58pm at King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women. She weighs 3115grams and cries like a loudspeaker.

This is her first (angelic) smile caught on camera by her Uncle Raymond on 15th Dec:

Possible related posts..

• January 25, 2010 -- People Say… (2)
• December 25, 2009 -- 2009 – The Year That Was (3)
• December 10, 2009 -- Perth Skyline at Night – Pt 2 (1)
• December 8, 2009 -- Forte Music Festival 2009 (0)
• November 18, 2009 -- Perth Skyline at Night (4)
• October 19, 2009 -- Viola Photos (4)
• October 18, 2009 -- 100s and 1000s (5)

So here is the continuation of my first post a couple of weeks back, Perth Skyline at Night. But unlike the first set of shots, these ones were taken elsewhere, at Applecross.

Enjoy:

Yes, I’ve changed my border around my images and also the font for the watermark. Gotten a little sick of the old one.

Can’t wait for my next session of night photography!

Possible related posts..

• November 18, 2009 -- Perth Skyline at Night (4)
• December 25, 2009 -- 2009 – The Year That Was (3)
• October 16, 2009 -- ChanRaymond dot net Turns Two! (2)
• August 7, 2009 -- Hyundai i30 Hyper Silver SX 2.0L Manual (3)
• July 29, 2009 -- The Wheel of Perth (0)
• May 27, 2009 -- Night Out with L (3)
• May 15, 2009 -- Which Vertical Grip to Buy for Nikon D40/x/60? (1)

I was recently asked to be the photographer for Forte School of Music’s annual festival at Riverview church at Cockburn Central. It is a day where the students in the school have a chance to get up on stage and perform for their family and teachers. There were two concerts of a different time with different performances by the students and different sets of audience, who are mainly made up of family members of the students.

The first concert started at 3.30pm and another at 5.30pm, so this post is a combination of both concerts.

It was quite a challenge to photograph the event because the only long zoom I have is the 55-200mm, which I personally think is not a fast enough lens for the lighting condition at the venue, so I used a combination of  my Tamron 17-50mm 2.8, 55-200mm, 50mm 1.8 and a tripod. Most shots were taken at ISO of 800 and a few 1600, but really if my body could handle 1600 and 3200 well enough I would definitely use those range, but unfortunately it can’t. Perhaps I should really start saving up for a D90 or D300s? Wishful thinking.

Despite the high stress and running around like a madman with my camera from one end of the stage to the other, it was a great experience.

Here are some shots from the event:

Possible related posts..

• September 4, 2009 -- Assignments, assignments, assignments. (0)
• August 24, 2009 -- Targa West 2009 Pics (3)
• October 13, 2008 -- Halfpipe at the Perth Royal Show 2008 (4)
• October 9, 2008 -- Baby at Perth Royal Show 2008 (5)
• September 3, 2008 -- Shihad at Murdoch University Open Day 2008 (1)
• January 25, 2010 -- People Say… (2)
• December 25, 2009 -- 2009 – The Year That Was (3)

These were taken at Mill Point road, which is one of the best locations to photograph the skyline of Perth at night. It was a cold night, and being unprepared for night photography is not something you want to be doing. Thankfully I had company which made the slow shutter (up to 20 seconds) shots seem much faster. More shots to follow another day.

Enjoy:

Possible related posts..

• December 10, 2009 -- Perth Skyline at Night – Pt 2 (1)
• July 29, 2009 -- The Wheel of Perth (0)
• May 27, 2009 -- Night Out with L (3)
• February 24, 2009 -- Curious (0)
• August 19, 2008 -- Unedited Photos (8)
• April 22, 2008 -- Perth City at Night (3)
• April 14, 2008 -- Catching Up (0)

Possible related posts..

• July 13, 2009 -- Today.. (2)
• October 28, 2008 -- Green Froggy (0)

Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Have a great week ahead =)

Possible related posts..

• January 25, 2010 -- People Say… (2)
• December 25, 2009 -- 2009 – The Year That Was (3)
• December 19, 2009 -- Baby Sophie (1)
• December 10, 2009 -- Perth Skyline at Night – Pt 2 (1)
• December 8, 2009 -- Forte Music Festival 2009 (0)
• November 18, 2009 -- Perth Skyline at Night (4)
• October 18, 2009 -- 100s and 1000s (5)

Quick question – which one of the three four do you like most and why?

Possible related posts..

• July 10, 2008 -- Help – HOYA 52mm Circular Polariser Filter (4)
• January 25, 2010 -- People Say… (2)
• December 25, 2009 -- 2009 – The Year That Was (3)
• December 19, 2009 -- Baby Sophie (1)
• December 10, 2009 -- Perth Skyline at Night – Pt 2 (1)
• December 8, 2009 -- Forte Music Festival 2009 (0)
• November 18, 2009 -- Perth Skyline at Night (4)

This site has come a long way, from a personal blog filled with gibberish and entries about my life in uni, to a more photography-centric type of entries with less words and more pictures. I have also been lazy to comment on others’ blogs, so I’m back to being a silent reader of others’ blogs. Of course, this has caused me to lose quite a few frequent readers and commenters which I have built from my previous blog(s), but I still have some readers who will make the extra effort to leave some feedback on my entries, and that is more than welcomed here on ChanRaymond dot net.

As I am currently in the last couple of weeks of my university life for the rest of my life (fingers crossed), updates have been halted to a point where I only update when I find the time, and often when I do, it’s an entry with less than 50 words (and I’m a to-be journalism graduate!). Of course, I do try to put in more pictures to fill the “gap”, but I must admit that it’s plain laziness at work.

Nevertheless, I personally take this time to thank all loyal readers of my blog, to all who still find time to read all the craps I’ve churned out. Even though I have been really lazy with my updates lately, there were still people giving feedback to my pictures, which really gives me the “feel-good” factor. To be honest, there has been a couple of instances when I considered quitting blogging due to work and uni, to which I can barely handle. But I guess I shall give it another year (since I’ve paid for the hosting) and we’ll see what next year brings.

Before I delay this entry any further and risk not publishing this entry at all, I shall stop here and get some rest after a long night of uni work. Have a wonderful weekend ahead and thanks for reading!

Possible related posts..

• December 25, 2009 -- 2009 – The Year That Was (3)
• March 8, 2009 -- The Standstill (6)
• July 3, 2008 -- Then and Now.. (4)
• May 31, 2008 -- The Confessional (6)
• December 10, 2009 -- Perth Skyline at Night – Pt 2 (1)
• September 4, 2009 -- Assignments, assignments, assignments. (0)
• August 7, 2009 -- Hyundai i30 Hyper Silver SX 2.0L Manual (3)

I went to the “Crawley Edge” Boatshed for a photoshoot for my friend a couple of weeks back. Took this shot which I’d like to share here:

Pardon the lack of update, I’ve been down with cough, flu and a little fever. Have a great weekend!

Possible related posts..

• August 28, 2009 -- More Street Performers @ Forrest Place, Perth (4)
• August 15, 2009 -- Seagulls @ Forrest Chase, Perth – Part 2 (7)
• June 22, 2009 -- The Markets @ Perth Cultural Centre (0)
• April 22, 2008 -- Perth City at Night (3)
• September 22, 2009 -- Day Trip to Bunbury – Pt 2 (1)
• September 15, 2009 -- Day Trip to Bunbury (1)
• September 8, 2009 -- Short Update (4)

The jetty was closed for maintenance

Unfortunately, we didn’t catch any fish. There were no fish sighted, even after we poured like a quarter of a bag of Burley down the jetty. I guess it’s not really the season for it, or we just lack the skillz.

Have a lovely week ahead and hope you enjoyed the photos!

Possible related posts..

• November 12, 2008 -- Impromptu Fishing Trip (7)
• October 11, 2009 -- “Crawley Edge” Boatshed (4)
• September 15, 2009 -- Day Trip to Bunbury (1)
• September 8, 2009 -- Short Update (4)
• August 28, 2009 -- More Street Performers @ Forrest Place, Perth (4)
• August 15, 2009 -- Seagulls @ Forrest Chase, Perth – Part 2 (7)
• June 22, 2009 -- The Markets @ Perth Cultural Centre (0)

The reason, according to the President of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA, Tony Devitt, was to protect the pigs from the human H1N1 virus.

“We have taken this step as a precaution to limit any potential exposure – however minimal – of pigs to the Influenza A H1N1 virus,” he said.

“The Society has always implemented the strictest biosecurity measures at the event and this decision follows that policy.”

Read the full media release here. I’m not complaining though since they usually have a foul odour Then again, it’ll be quite boring without pigs, wouldn’t it?

As usual, the Perth Royal Show will be held on Claremont Showground, which has always been the location for the Show. A word of warning for drivers, parking will be scarce. If you are intending to drive thinking that will save you the time to walk, think again. There will be an estimated 400,000 visitors from all over the country every year.

It’s probably faster to take the train from the city straight to the Showground, which will prove cheaper and faster. Also, if you decide to stay until the end of the night when the fireworks end, good luck trying to get out from the parking. For people interested in the train/bus timetable from Transperth, visit Transperth Special Event Services.

The tickets can be bought cheaper if you buy it before 26th September. Read here for details. For tickets at the gate, it’ll be a couple of dollars more expensive. Information available here.

The map for the Show can be downloaded here.

I’m not sure if I will be attending, but I think it will be a fun day to have a photoshoot and I didn’t have my DSLR with me last year.

Are you going?

Possible related posts..

• September 25, 2008 -- IGA Perth Royal Show 2008 (4)
• April 11, 2008 -- Do You Know Me Personally? (4)
• December 8, 2009 -- Forte Music Festival 2009 (0)
• September 8, 2009 -- Short Update (4)
• September 4, 2009 -- Assignments, assignments, assignments. (0)
• August 24, 2009 -- Targa West 2009 Pics (3)
• August 7, 2009 -- Hyundai i30 Hyper Silver SX 2.0L Manual (3)

Anyway, here are some photos:
(Click to enlarge)

Have a good week ahead!

Possible related posts..

• October 11, 2009 -- “Crawley Edge” Boatshed (4)
• September 22, 2009 -- Day Trip to Bunbury – Pt 2 (1)
• September 8, 2009 -- Short Update (4)
• August 28, 2009 -- More Street Performers @ Forrest Place, Perth (4)
• August 15, 2009 -- Seagulls @ Forrest Chase, Perth – Part 2 (7)
• June 22, 2009 -- The Markets @ Perth Cultural Centre (0)
• November 12, 2008 -- Impromptu Fishing Trip (7)

I’m driving to Bunbury tomorrow morning to have my brother’s 4WD fixed there. It’s a two-hour drive, but it’ll be a good one cause I get to go to the town and the beach and er.. I don’t know, really. Apparently it’s cheaper to fix the car there, plus I get $50 for the favour and (hopefully) some interesting photos and yummy food (?)

I went out for a mini-shoot yesterday, but as soon as I started driving, it started pouring. I ended up with a drive around my neighbourhood, took this shot from my car while I stopped at an intersection. Wasn’t easy, mind you

Now please excuse me while I get back to my Chinese TVB series

Possible related posts..

• August 22, 2009 -- The Man with the Ball @ Forrest Place, Perth (2)
• August 15, 2009 -- Seagulls @ Forrest Chase, Perth – Part 2 (7)
• August 7, 2009 -- Hyundai i30 Hyper Silver SX 2.0L Manual (3)
• June 22, 2009 -- The Markets @ Perth Cultural Centre (0)
• November 12, 2008 -- Impromptu Fishing Trip (7)
• October 11, 2009 -- “Crawley Edge” Boatshed (4)
• September 22, 2009 -- Day Trip to Bunbury – Pt 2 (1)