chevignon forever mine

Someone asked me why it has been a while I didn't have a perfume entry as it seems that I haven't go for perfume shopping lately. As a matter of fact, actually I did bought few perfumes last month but I haven't got time to write about it.

Lately, I am incline to buy a non famous branded perfume as it smell more unique and fresh as most of famous brand tend to have almost similar ingredients.

This is one of the latest collections called Chevignon Forever Mine from Chevignon. The top note consists of kumquat, bergamot, cardamom and nutmeg. Middle notes are sea water, jasmine and woodsy note. The base notes are cashmere wood, tonka bean and amber.

Next perfume entry I will write about the Tous in Heaven.

Cheap but not cheap in smell. This version does come for women too with beige color case

Gears: Olympus E-620 DSLR with Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 Mark II

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finally i see the light in front of me

After more then 2 years searching for the light, finally I saw a pin hole light inside the tunnel in front of me. Eventhough it still very tiny, at least I already see it and I am sure it is not that far anymore. It's just a matter of time. Time that I feel too short at this time. But I put my determination that I am going to chase that light even how hard it is.

When you see the light in front of you, chase it as you don't want to loose it

Gears: Olympus E-620 DSLR with Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 Mark II

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dawn

As Melbourne approaching it winter end, the weather is slightly better throughout this week. Sunny half of the day and even I heard the bird chirping in the early hours. That is a sign of Spring is coming. Even some of the flower buds has already come out. Usually I will start to walk more because the fresh air and the mild temperature allows me to rejuvenate my energy and esteem. The day is getting back to almost normal, the sun rise between 7am to 7.30am brought along the vitamin E which is good to our health.

Among all of the seasons, I like Autumn and Spring more as this is the seasons where everything looks beautiful and the air is fresher.

Talking about study? I am hardly talk about my study in this blog, not because I don't want to share what I am doing but somehow research is a very complicated thing to tell. What I can say is, I am progressing. Talking about stages I am in at the moment? I already in a 3rd stage. First stage is to pass the candidature, secondly is doing the actual research and the third is writing the thesis. This three stages are what some people said the major challenge in doing research and each of the stages will require specific skills and strategies. Different people will have different skill and strategy how they going to achieve this stage. Along the way, we will encounter an obstacles and distraction that lead to failure, breakdowns and so on. But one thing that I learn from this experience is..... research is not difficult after all. What make things seems difficult is the way research has been perceived. Things like research requirement, research fundamental, people involvement, stipulated rules created a complexity of how research study have been done.

Shrine of Remembrance in the early morning


Few peoples walking around to see the sunrise

Gears: Olympus E-620 DSLR with Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 Mark II

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seeing melbourne through infrared filter

Since the weather was good, I decided to walk to the city yesterday. I brought along my Infrared filter as I plan to shoot some photos with it. I used Cokin Infrared Filter as this is the cheapest compared to Lee filters. In this technique I didn't set the color mode to monochrome, instead, I leave it as it was.

The result was amazing. Melbourne look different and it's like looking at different scenery.

The foliage look very snowy..


Yarra River from one of the bridge. On the left is the train station


The sky look so eerie


I love the x-ray kind of effect on the foliage

Gears: Olympus E-620 DSLR with Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 Mark II and Cockin Infrared Filter

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little job

Had an opportunity to do desktop publishing job for clients. This will help to polish my skills as it has been a while I didn't do this kind of job. When I decided to join the IT industry I totally out of publishing world. Between multimedia and desktop publishing I prefer the later.

Even though dealing with clients is not easy but in the end it paid off. The satisfaction of seeing our design being use by our clients is beyond words. I always hoping that they like the design.

This design is for friend who starting up his own business

This is not the final design as it is still in the development stage. This job involve designing a new identity, new stationary, new promotional kit and hopefully later into web design too

Tools: Adobe Illustrator

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water and oil don't mix together

Proverb always say that water and oil will never mix together. It is true somehow but water and oil can work in harmony and create a beautiful abstraction of what water and oil can do.

This is another series from my collections where simple and everyday object can be transformed into beautiful artwork.

I am amazed with it

Eventough they don't mixed together but they bond together


Water drop


Going down and down


One drop


Thousand drops

Gears: Olympus E-620 DSLR with Zuiko Digital 35mm f3.5 macro

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a great camera does not make one a great photographer if you don't have the skills to see the world around you

I think what the above title said is true and it reflect to me too somehow. Sometimes I feel that I lack skill and creativity of seeing things around me. Most of the time we look at things just the way how it is and never go beyond then that.

That's why I always envy a beautiful photos or artwork taken by others and as much as I can, I strive to be as good as them. Somehow not all the time I am succeed. Same goes to my study. There was a day I am too productive and somehow today was not my productive day. I am down with mild fever, back pain and headache. Because of that I always complaining without looking at it the other way around.

After all, we re not been bless with good time and luck all the time. And I am not lucky today... as I am lucky yesterday.

Tired feet, tired face, bag eye, sagging... all in one.... and the future is still uncertain

Gears: Olympus E-620 DSLR with Zuiko Digital 14-45mm f2.8-3.5 Mark II

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what we see in a water drop

Melbourne's weather is a bit cold throughout the week and I just stay put. Partly I am not very well. To ease my boredom I decided to do a quick water drop shot. Not that good though as I set the ISO to high and I am doing it in a rush. But I get the idea how to do it again next time.

The setup is very simple. You need a tray, white or coloured card, Flash and a plastic bag filled with water and lastly tripod.

Put the tray filled with water, hang the plastic bag filled with water around 3 feet high. Make a small insertion to let the water drip. Position the white board or coloured card at the back of the tray. Position the flash towards the card to bounce the light to the tray. Manually focus the camera.

I would love to try with other medium such as milk, honey or ink


Almost there


That is it. Not perfect but good enough for the first time


I call this "Seal playing"


This one "Terminator arise"


"Dolphin playing"

Gears: Olympus E-620 DSLR with Zuiko Digital 14-54mm 2.8-3.5 Mark II

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melbourne attraction - st. peter's church

One of the attraction that everyone shouldn't missed in Melbourne is St. Peter's Anglican Church. The church open daily to the public and close when there is a service. Like any other church around the world, the basic element is the same with stained glass all around, the altar and the tall roof. The interior ambient is dark with a bit of lighting here and there enough to provide a mood of being a religious place.

If by chance you are in Melbourne, don't forget to visit few architectural marvel such as this, 333 at Collins and Flinders Station.

The main entrance with huge stained glass


View from the main entrance


Wide angle lens would help with this


The altar


View from the altar area


Huge music instrument

Gears: Olympus E-620 DSLR with Zuiko Digital 14-54mm 2.8-3.5 Mark II

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sunny winter at albert park

I had a morning walk with Piero last week as the weather was good. It sunny and the temperature was mild. To make a full circle of this Albert Park lake was 4.7km which enough to make you sweat.

Nice sunny day with mild temperature


Winter with blue and clear sky... can you believe it? Climate change?

Gears: Olympus E-620 DSLR with Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f28-3.5 Mark II

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do you want to take pictures with a quality of DSLR but don't want to be burden with heavy and complicated equipment?

Marking the 50 years of Pen camera, today Olympus officially announced in Australia the rebirth of Olympus Pen the interchangable lens camera but with the look of compact digital.

If you intended to have a beautiful pictures taken just like DSLR quality but don't want to be burden by it heavy lenses and complicated operation, then this camera is definitely for you even it can be as a second body for DSLR owner as a backup.

I had a chance to hold and test briefly this camera today and what I can tell you is that, it is superb. Finished in a solid stainless steel and aluminum case with a size as big as you compact camera, it going to be a big selling. You can slip into your cargo pant or your handbag and take your favorite subject with the ease of compact but with the quality of DSLR, paired it with it M.Zuiko 14-42mm lens and Zuiko 40-150mm lens you will up and running with beautiful photos ranging from wide to telephoto equavilaent of 28mm to 300mm. Even you can paired it with any Lumix and Olympus Micro Four Third and Four Third lens available.

With this you are not only take beautiful high quality pictures ranging from ISO100-6400 but you will shoot it with style.

As for today this Olympus E-P1 become the second favourite camera in Japan after Canon Eos500D, and I personally recommend to anyone who wanted to step up from compact to DSLR, give a second look at this beautiful Pen camera from Olympus. It worth evey penny that you going to invest. The lens is very small, sharp (nobody can beat the Olympus lens) and the most important thing you can take your picture discreetly and show your creative talent.

I am considering this as my second body for my daily walkaround camera. Don't just listen to my word, but pay a visit to your nearest camera stores and give it a test. You will fall in love straight away! Oh another one.. it shoot HD video too with AF......

George showing me the camera


I clicked him he clicked on me


Attached with 14-42 M.Zuiko lens.. very small lens indeed and very light


This is not compact camera not DSLR, but ILC (Interchangable Lens Camera) with DSLR quality in a compact size body... one that eveyone should have

Gears: Olympus E-620 DSLR with Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 Mark II

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shopping, shopping, shopping and broke, broke and broke

This month I defy my promise which I am not going to buy anything anymore. I accidentally bought these items from Nekrock except the wrist phone. That one is my last year wish.

I keep saying to myself that I should stop buying watches but every time I said that, I end up buying more watch. Because of that, I am not going to say anything about my habit of buying watches anymore.

As for this week story, I have done nothing much. I am finishing one journal paper and hopefully I can submit it before August.

My latest gadget, wrist phone. It features pack just like normal handphone


Michael Kors watch with mother of pearl dial


Waist pouch... my first ever waist pouch

Gears: Olympus E-620 DSLR with Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 Mark II

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the music and the light

Gloomy winter with gloomy economic year. What is the best thing to have. A soothing music with a beautiful light that can light up our mood. I make a close inspection on this installation in conjunction of winter festival. LED light combined with music really make my day. Touching the led and watch the LED change the colour really mesmerizing.

Beautiful light with soothing music


Ghost bump all over as the temperature sinking down...

Gears: Olympus E-620 DSLR with Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 Mark II

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spaghetti with meatballs

My weekend full with makan-makan. I baked, I grilled and lots of cooking activities. Last night dinner was Spaghetti with meatballs my own version.

Ingredients:
1 packet of spaghetti
1 bottle of pasta sauce
oregano
mince meat
mushroom (slice thinly)
coriander leaves (chopped)
basil leaves (chopped)
egg
onion (chopped)
salt and pepper
cooking oil

How to make meatballs:
Add onion, oregano, basil and onion into the mince meat. Add 2 eggs (for half kilos of mince meat). Add salt and pepper. Mixed together.

Heat the cooking oil, take a table spoon of mince mixture and roll using your hand to create a meat ball. Fried the meat balls until it brown or cook. Toss and put a side.

How to make a sauce:
Add a bit of oil. Put a bottle of pasta sauce. Add the mushroom slice. Cook till mushroom tender and seasoned.

Last step boil the spaghetti in a boiling water. Don't forget to add salt into the water.

Dinner is serve!

Gears: Olympus E-620 DSLR with Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 Mark II

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the long story of handmade shoe from bandung

About a year ago when Nahar and I visited the Indonesian Cultural and Exhibition Expo at Royal Melbourne Exhibition Centre, I ordered a pair of shoe from one of the exhibitor because of it quality.

It cost me AUD75 bucks including the postage with a promise of I will getting my shoe less then a month. After month I still didn't see the shoe coming and I waited from month and month. At one stage these shoe maker sms me saying that the shoe is on it way but actually it is not.

After nearly a year I forgotten about this shoe until about a week ago I received SMS saying that he is going to send my shoe through his friend from Monash University. A dorsen (lecturer).

I made an arrangement to pick up the shoe at Monash University, Clayton on Friday morning with great anticipation. I met this Indonesian guy who worked as a Director at the Deputy Vice Chancellor (International) who responsible for bringing my shoe.

When meeting this guy, I am kind of a bit of shocked when I am greeted with few questions and statement about my study and also about his journey to Malaysia. He invited me to his office and the first statement that he made was, he had a bad experienced when he was in Malaysia and Melaka. He said that our taxi driver is the worst and rude in the world. The tour agent that arranged his travel was cheating on him and so on.

I am quite shocked actually to hear that statement. I can say the way he say it was a bit sarcastic. I am just wondering whether is it true that our taxi driver is the worst in the world and does it any different from Indonesian taxi driver. For me if it is true that I think the authority should look into this matter seriously. I am just confused with the statement from someone who came from the country that even worst then us made that statement. The way he say it just like orang baru pertama kali dapat kerja kat luar negara and merasa hidup senang hingga lupa yang dulu mungkin hidupnya merempat or even worst and he have nothing at all.

Or maybe it is just a statement from one Indonesian who have forgotten that what he have back there (in Indonesia) is not even comparable to what we have back home (Malaysia)

With all those remarks, I decided not to pursue further. I dismissed myself and leave the place with a smile. I am smiling because this guy remind me this proverb. "Ibarat monyet dapat bunga."

Meanwhile the shoes, it is not the one I want it. I ordered different design. Tapi disebabkan tak nak la menunggu kasut yang lain setahun from now, I just take this shoes. The leather is hard, the shoe is not comfortable at all, not like the one that I tried before. So what happen to my 25buck shipping cost? On top of 75buck I am paying for this shoe, I have to add another AUD11 bucks to pick it up from Clayton. From 50AUD for a pair of shoe, I end up paying 85bucks. Not worth it at all.

Shoes that has been forgotten

Gears: Olympus E-620 DSLR with Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f2.8-5.6 Mark II

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malim's grilled ribs with salad

Today I would like to share the simple recipe of mine. Once in a while I will cook this recipe just for a change. If you are a ribs lover then these recipe is a must to try!

Ingredients:
Beef ribs (cut it to short pieces or as desire)
Honey
Soy sauce
Chillie sauce
Tomatoes sauce

For Salad:
Zucchini or cucumber
Carrots
Tomatoes
Avocado
Coriander leaves
Basil leaves
Lemon (extract the juice)
Olive oil
sugar
salt and pepper

Preparation:
Dabbed the rib with clean towel. Put it into a large bowl
Mix the honey, chille sauce, tomatoes sauce, soy sauce into the bowl. Coated the ribs and leave it to rest for at least an hour until all the flavour been absorbed.

Heat the oven and set to Grill mode. Heat to 170 degree. Line up the ribs and grilled for 30 minutes. This will give you well done meat. In between check the ribs and turn around to let it evenly cooked.

Preparation for the salad:
Stripes thinly the cucumber and the carrot using the skin peeler. Shredder the Coriander and Basil leaves. Cut the Avocado into cubes. Seeded the tomatoes and cut into cubes.

Add the lemon juice, salt and pepper, olive oil and a pinch of sugar. Using salad mixer or your hand mix all the ingredients together.

Once all done serve it onto the plate. To add some touch on the ribs, take a small portion of soy sauce, olive oil, chillie sauce and tomatoes sauce in a small bowl. Heat for 30 seconds in a microwave.

Before serving drizzle the sauce onto the ribs.

Once all done served it onto the plate while it fresh


Give it a try.... you will love it. Simple and easy to prepare. The whole process took around 40 minutes or less.

Gears: Olympus E-620 DSLR with Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 Mark II

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