Ahfook's Story

I took part in Canon Photomarathon Asia (Kuala Lumpur) 2008, last Saturday, with Rachel. This was our first time took part in photography contest, we were there to gain experience while meeting up friends.

We reached Berjaya Times Square around 7:30am, the queues for registration were so long, big ‘U’ shape queue stretched from registration booth until edge of the Times Square and back to booth again. We’ve been queued up for around 40 minutes only managed to get registered. We were given official T shirts, refreshment, breakfast, map and schedule. Not bad for a free event, huh?

The first theme was “Indulge Metropolitan”. This theme has confused most of the contestants, we took out our phones, either check the dictionary, or call up friends to ask the meaning of “indulge”, and we got different answers, where we couldn’t linked them up properly. So this is my work for first theme, and I don’t think it make any sense with the theme XD

Then we went to Pavilion, the brand new shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur, to get our second theme, “Mess In Rules” from Canon shop. So on the way to Suria KLCC (the third pit stop), I have snapped this for the second theme, too bad the focus spot was incorrect:

After having our lunch at Suria KLCC food court,  we met Clive, he just took the third theme from Canon shop. The third theme was “Goes Green”. We went to Kinokuniya book store to get some idea, however we have no luck to get any. Then we decided to go Petaling Street to try some luck.

We went to Petaling Street with LRT, walking around, including Lee Lum Thye Market, the street with prostitution service (they working at day time, too), Jalan HS Lee and other parts of Petaling Street area, then I got this for “Goes Green” theme, bad composition:

After getting the photos we wanted, we walked to Maharajalela Monorail station to get back to Berjaya Times Square. We loaded our works into the PC there, then get our lunch (for free) from the organizer. We left after meeting up with friends around there around 4pm.

View more photos here.

Been back to Malaysia for almost 1 week, it’s time for me to report about my second month I stayed in Taiwan
Unlike the first month, this month the working schedule was not too tight, I able to walk around this time, to Taipei, Sun Moon Lake (日月潭) and Feng Jia night market(逢甲夜市). And the best thing is, Rachel came to meet me at Taiwan for our 3rd anniversary, however we didn’t manage to celebrate as planned because Han Ler was sick badly so we abandoned the plan and back to KL earlier.
I also witnessed the strong typhoon JangMi, which was stronger than Sinlaku that I experienced at first month, this time I could feel the office building shaking, and see more damages, even in typhoon safe zone – TaiChung.

Here are some photos I that took in Taiwan:
Jang Mi typhoon blew down a banner

Taipei street near Taipei 101

Taipei Zoo

Sun Moon Lake

Feng Jia Night Market

View more photos here

This is the place that I have been sitting, working and eating for almost 2 months.

After working in Taiwan for one month, finally I am here back to Malaysia. Stayed in Taichung, didn’t really enjoy the trip because working almost everyday and eating Bian Dang almost everyday also. Didn’t really have chance to take photos around. Here are some photos taken. And the worst thing was, I’ve missed Han Ler’s 2nd birthday T.T…

Interesting things in Taiwan were, experienced typhoon in Taiwan, the Sinlaku Typhoon, although in Taichung area doesn’t seem affected much by the typhoon. Then the sukiyaki steamboat, it was so delicious, I shall try it one more time if I had chance.

Will be back to Taiwan again at next Tuesday 23rd September 2008, for another month. Hope this time could get some off days and have a short trip to Taipei.

Although I am busy working until not enough time to sleep, but I still want to write this post to express my dulan-ness.

What the fuck?!! Barisan Nasional government has detained 3 people with the notorious Internal Security Act (ISA), they are Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Sin Chew Daily journalist Tan Hoon Cheng and Teresa Kok.

ISA, such an out-dated and non-humanity law that still exists in Malaysia, and used to apply on the people that the Barisan Nasional government thinks threaten their ruling but not on the people that making racist statements.

Barisan Nasional seems never learnt anything from the 8th March General Election and Permatang Pauh By-Election. They didn’t try to improve themselves to rule this country better but keep playing dirty tricks around. Now Anwar Ibrahim already won the by-election and the date 16th September is getting closer, Barisan Nasional are like a dog being chased and beaten hardly, until the corner of walls, fighting with the last strength, fiercely but ugly.

More and more disappointments among the people, by the dirty tricks and brainless talks by the Barisan Nasional leaders, and now the people are angry, really hope Anwar Ibrahim could kick their asses.

Picture from Mob’s Crib

Now everyone please stay calm, just peaceful resistance, not to give chance to Barisan Nasional to detain more people under this stupid ISA.

Peace.