Of Personal Convictions & Camp Pics...

Mamak stalls seem to be the centre of all great conversations and debates, where both hearsay and truths are indiscriminately exchanged amongst the rakyat. Me, being at the start of my working life, realised that a huge majority of my peers see no future in working for our nation, where favouritism and nepotism reigns mightily over meritocracy.

I agree that to eke out a living here is difficult, but as much as that is so, our nation is also full of opportunities for those willing to rough it out. I’m not being naïve for I know all too well about the system and the status quo that exists, but I simply won’t allow hopelessness to affect me. It’s pointless and counterproductive.

I just had dinner with my parents and once more, they’ve proven themselves difficult to speak to. It is proving to be frustrating as I try to reason or bring my point across. Parents being parents are terribly sure of themselves and are right no matter what. The old cliché holds true and it probably became one because it is true!

The exceptional ones actually *do* listen to you, knowing full well that you’re not a carbon copy of themselves, but another person altogether, an actual individual. I’ve noticed how parents of any kind are quick to shoot an idea or ideology down simply because they’ve tried it and it doesn’t work for them.

Adults in general are prone to be jaded. Disillusioned about the working world and frustrated with the nation’s economy and political system, they trudge around spreading their skepticism and pessimism, more so if you’re of their own flesh and blood.

But I’m sick of it. If everyone thought that way how are things going to be better.

Yes, they’ve probably been through some hard times in their lives, but to then allow that experience to forever change your fundamental ideals is a sad thing.

I believe in the power of change, and that people are in the state that they’re in because they give up or choose to be. I know I can because I’m empowered by my faith and know that like minded people can make a difference. I also believe that pessimism and acceptance of ‘the way things are’ are the obstacles of change. I refuse to be jaded and I refuse to be part of the herd.

I can’t ‘Moo’ anyways.

Call it the fresh grad symptom or naiveness, we must be more than just what the status quo feels we should be, irregardless of the uphill challenges.

As my friend would put it, “Have more guts man!”


Church Camp 2006 was fantastic, I went with expectations and it was not only met, but surpassed all that I thought it’d be. Best of all no one sabo-ed anyone in my dorm. I took many pictures, but decided that a few of them would look nice in black and white. Most of my pictures were focused more on the overall camp itself, hence more random shot of ‘stuff’. So here they are, Church Camp 2006 in Black and White:


This is PeaceHaven, a retreat for church goers and a wonderful place to take a breather from the daily grind. The place is gorgeously set on the side of the mountain where the occasional cloud would roll gracefully through.


The lack of pollution there means clearer skies and more dramatic images *smiles*. This picture is aptly (but uncreatively) named, “The Gathering Masses”.


To control the masses is Crystal who helps them along their daily tasks like lining up or keeping quiet. The loud hailer is an absolute necessity.


The said masses’ footwear. One shoe’s fine, but bundle a couple of hundred around and you’ll be sniffing aromatic fragrances unlike any other (that’s a promise).


Speaking of footwear, the people maintaining Peacehaven need them too. They’re quite a mysterious bunch, disappearing during the day and seen only during lunch or dinner. At least we know what they wore.


The camp speaker, Andrew Gray, for whom the masses were gathering to hear. He’s incredibly straight to the point while being highly receptive to the Holy Spirit! Truly a source of food for the soul :)


Food of any other kind will just have to come in the form of “Noodles in a Cup”. This is Ah-Soong as we call him. A really down to earth and fun chap to hang out with. I really shouldn’t be embarrassing him with this picture. Muahahaha.




Somehow or rather, portraits are a whole lot nicer up in Peacehaven. I attribute it to the somewhat diffused mountain light. It really adds that extra punch~ J


As a natural poser Chubes rarely flinches from a photo opportunity *grins*. He’s my faithful and amazing CG leader in church, who is seen here standing on “the spot”. I name this spot the “Poised to Pose” spot – it’s fantastic for egoistical shots!


And this is the world’s best selling book, the Bible. It amazes me everytime I read it – it’s got answers for absolutely everything. You’ve just got to look hard enough. That’s Valerie’s copy – suitably weathered too, a testimony to how much she uses it!


I love the little little things in Peacehaven, like how you can find the oddest looking plant-life in the most unassuming places.

Sometimes photography is what keeps me sane.

The First of January

We stood there together watching the fireworks as the crowd below cheered incessantly, ooh-ing and aah-ing every now and then with the occasional wah lau to break the monotony.

I mellowed somewhat in the midst of all the commotion and counting. And by the way, no one knew when to count, so we fell back to our herd instinct and muttered some gibberish number or the other with some finishing faster.

Something coursed through my veins, but it wasn’t excitement, it wasn’t mass anxiety, it certainly wasn’t adrenaline, but a strange calm, like a quiet day on an empty beach.

It’s January fifth now and on hindsight, I was probably still clinging on to 2006. Stuck in the holiday swing of things, I wasn’t really active -- like hippos at zoo Negara. But that’ll all come to an abrupt halt.

There’s so much to do and tons to achieve in 2007. And just like the years before, I bravely declare that this’ll be the year for many things; My Christian faith, important relationships in my life ;), a career in broadcast journalism, a friend’s wedding (you know who you are Daphey *winks*), backpacking, the performing arts, and heaven knows what else’s in store.

It might’ve been slow, but it took me five days to finally realize that my first of January 2007 begins tomorrow.

Happy New Year!