My Practice Shoot

Today I was so excited after getting my SLR.

Here is the first try.

Going straight from Chinatown Point, I went along exploring the South Bridge Road before heading to Maxwell for Rojak.

On my way, I passes Masjid Jamae - that is Jamae Mosque.

I passed by the gated - and took two quick snaps.

First image here on the left: has closer depth of field vs the picture at the bottom where the AF auto focus produces different effect.

However, both images are indicated from my Canon tool has having same ISO, aperture, and shutter speed... 1/10 4.0 ISO3200 Evaluative metering. Focal length 28mm. Why the different in focus?

Jakarta ABG Chat

I just finished chatting with my brother. He updated me that the trend of youngsters in Jakarta. One: BB or blackberry - the tool of trade for those young, connected, and cool. Two: DSLR - or the big camera with longer the better lens to shoot or just to pose behind the lens, not in front. Three: Gym - a place to see and to be seen.

Jargon: ABG - Anak Baru Gede - or literal translation "Kid who just grew up"

Random shoot - bday rose:

AE mode: 1/15 5.0 ISO800 35mm.

Buying my First SLR

The Search of my First SLR Camera

Finally... I have decided on my first-ever SLR. Canon EOS 600D. With kit 18-55IS II. Bought screen protector etc at this 4th floor shop at Funan.

Camera is charging and I can't wait to start the adventure.

Top 3 reasons why photography is perfect hobby for me:

1. I am forgetful. Photography is perfect to capture that fleeting moment.

2. Even now, I found that I pay more attention to little things happening in life.

3. For my artistic and sense of creation that I've been craving for a while.

A picture afterall is worth a thousand words.

Resources:

Read review here:

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/cameras/Canon_600D.html

Excellent review from DPreview:

600D vs 60D...

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos600d/

And the lens IS that comes with the kit http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/canon_18-55_3p5-5p6_is_c16

600D - Announced in Feb 2011.

And Canon pages - http://www.canon.com.sg/personal/products/dslrs/eos/eos-600dkit-efs-18-55-is-ii

2XU RUN

My Run Today

My first run today carried 2XU and Pocari Sweat branding title.

http://www.2xucompressionrun.com.sg/

I did this for two small reasons and one big reason. 12KM is my first stretch target beyond the usual 10KM run, and that I love to try the compression Calf Guard. And it is on my brother's birthday - he loves running so we signed up together.

2XU (pronounced two-times-U) main products are claimed to be high-performance running/athlete for races and triathlons. They signed up offered runners with 2nd category of registration that comes with a pair of Calf Guard at $70, than $60 fee for just the race. I thought it is a good deal to try new runner's gadget :)

The Calf Guard comes as a pair. It is shaped like long socks with open ends at the ankles section. I tried twice when training on the treadmill. It holds very tightly the shape of the calf - actually the calves look very shapely and slim with that - it seemed to pull my lower legs together. My legs felt less sore than usual despite the heavy training.

Here is the official description:

2XU Calf Guard targeting the calf muscle - a major driver in venous return from your lower body, calf guards can be worn during competition or used simply as a recovery tool. With similar benefits to compression tights but in a smaller package, calf guards improve circulation and protect against leg fatigue and muscle soreness. Essential training and recovery tool for people who need extra support through their calf region.

Taxations

Today I received a Grantor Letter from my Stock Services company. As part of my work I am eligible to certain stock grant or participations. Previously I filed

So, it seems that under US Tax (or other countries for that matter) is rather complicated and complex. Esp that according to various website of various online tax advisories. Because I am nonresident Alien (funny how this word is used), I am subjected to Withholding Tax. Witholding Tax is a pool of fund that Financial Services companies or employers are obligated to withhold a portion of your cash if you are a non-resident (ie located outside the jurisdiction of that country) to ensure you pay fully your tax obligations.

So from various searches, it looks like I am subjected to 30% withholding tax for my dividend gains. That is standard rate, that may be reduced if you reside in a country that has Tax Treaty with US. Singapore is not (a search in Singapore Tax Authorities http://iras.gov.sg) resulted in a "limited Tax Treaty" that was last updated in 1988. So 30% it is.

Good to know.

Resources:

http://iras.gov.sg - SG Tax website

http://irs.gov - USA Tax website

Redundancies Recently two of my closest people were impacted by departments being dissolved post M&A consolidations. Painful, sudden, and demoralizing. There is nothing worse than having lost the purpose and being in limbo. I guess this is a good period to genureflect the meaning of life and how much time spent on career, etc. Career is not everything...

Late Bloomer

That is the theme going through my mind at the moment.

One of interesting aspect about travelling is solo-travelling.

As one who grew up in a developing country where travelling alone by yourself as a single female is considered one of unsafe notion of travelling, I feel liberated after living in Singapore as an independent, free, single woman in a 1st world country.

When now is time for me to decide a place to go, I want to go somewhere as a solo-traveller. And hopefully a liberating experience that reminds me of the joy of living. I have been to Rome, Madrid, Paris, Barcelona, Seoul, Ho Chi Minh, Bangkok with companion, and sometimes a group.

I am ready to travel by myself again. To my dismay, majority of websites listing places that are faraway, and more suitable for female caucasian rather than general female who is a citizen of the world. Like me!

I vow to write a suitable article for travel for someone like me. First I must go off to a fine place to showcase a safe and interesting location. I am thinking of starting off someone small, nearby, and not too exotic.

Bieler's Soup

I have a new cooking recipe. Read this from a book on 7-day energy surge. In a nutshell, this made a super-easy healthy tasting soup....

1kg of zuchini

half kg of green bean (i used french beans)

english parsley

Method:

Clean the veggies thoroughly.

Prepare a pot of water, bring to boil.

Add zuchini and beans, cook until tender (about 5-8 mins). Add parsley last.

Blend the veggies in blender or food processor until you get consistency of soup.

Now you have cups of bieler's broth. Best enjoyed warm and fresh.

Tips:

• Do not throw away water you boil veggies in. Use these in process of blending - they are full of vits.
• Do not overcook - my beans were yellow in my first try :(
• Add parsley last as it is more easily cooked.
• You can apportion the veggies for #people you serve it. Recipe above prepares about 8 cups, so cut half if you want 4 cups and so on. It is best when it is freshly cooked.

I am bummed. I decided to can my original plan to go to a detox (not for drug rehabilitation but those sort of spa-like healthy living) for bday holiday. Reason: I am hearing my mom's advice (yes I am embarrassingly guilty on the hold she still had on my life). Anyway I figured I am healthy enough without needing a weeklong colon cleansing plus fasting.

So I am in serious need of alternative activity to occupy my time. Something that is less sad.

I would like to create something. That satisfy my desire and need for creation.

I stroke off painting (too messy and lonely). Golf (I am not social enough and I hate the pomposity associated for it, for now). And decided to settle for Photography. It is something that I had been interested in for a long time. I think I had a knack for it. many of my friends are pursuing that as hobby. Plus I love exploring new places and have bad memories. So all very good reasons that this is the right hobby.

Now I am setting off to learn more about this new pursuit.

So first:
Equipment. I'm researching the bet on the good semi SLR or SLR. I think though it is going to be either Canon or Nikon.

One of saddest progress of my exercise "regime". It looks closer to adhoc spurs of gym-ing than regime actually.

After 1 full week of skipping my jogging, and 2 full weeks from my last body pump session (I have excuse of that multi-million deal we are negotiating in UK!), my arms felt flabby, my muffin handles are showing off left right and front, I am DOOMED.

Today: 4.5KM total - 35mins with 15 mins rest between 2 and 2.2. 2XU run 7 days away!

I am so happy to start my new exercise regime. I ran 2 blocks of 1.5KM today on treadmill. What an achievement (normally I can't stand the mundane-ness of staring at the digital clock ticking seconds by seconds).

My record: 3KM - 31mins - 250 cal.

Placeholder for new year resolution.

3 new cities I want to visit this year:
1. Switzerland
2. Lombok
3. Kota Kinabalu


5 new restaurants I want to try this year:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Any recommendations? :)

It's been a while since I posted. This is the first 2011 I have.
How time flies. Only I recently my friends and I had beer together and a friend asked my new year resolution. I said "Why?". "Because you are the sort of new-year-resolution-type of person". Yeah it's true.

This year, I haven't really decided yet. Really. My excuse this time is I am too busy until the Chinese New Year to decide what to focus on this year. Not just another long list of easy stuff that I ended up executing half and leaving out the other real half year to year.

This morning, a close friend at work dropped a bombshell. He said he is going to make decision whether to leave in 2 days. My heart stopped, then pumped again. Of course I know he has been contemplating the move all along. Still, I am alarmed that the time is so close, now, this week. I do however remember what really matters, and I wish him to find the best decision that makes him happy and work funs. I know how miserable he has been so God bless him. May the better decision prevails.

My run result. Ran 10K race with Great Eastern Women last weekend in Singapore. My timing 01:15:08. Not bad at all considering I did not train the last month at all. Was busy priotizing work and business trip to China and Jakarta.

I remembered though giving my all at final 2KM when I glanced at my watch after a dissappointing slow starter and realized I could still come close to a decent finish. That final 500m was a real stretch and I am glad I made it.

Well okay. According to this website, the top 10 countries "to have your wallet stolen by pickpockets" are:

10. Hanoi, Vietnam
9. Athens, Greece
8. Amsterdam, the Netherlands
7. Buones Aires, Argentina
6. Florence, Italy
5. Paris, France
4. Madrid, Spain
3. Prague, Chech
2. Rome, Italy
1. Barcelona, Spain

I've been to 5 above, and I have been fortunately blessed without incidents. Thank God. Lucky?

Link

Pstt - after reading my friends' sport update, i remembered i still have this blog. Phew- TG it's still alive and not shutdown after long period of inactivity.

Now - my goal this year : 3x 10km run with decent timing. And I already plan to outperform :p

First one- PAssion Run by PAP and sponsored by Newton. The T- is translucent yellow with a big Geyland Serai logo at the nape... I received the photo of an ugly pale looking creature crossing her finish line at 1:55:35. Darn it! the slow shuttle bus. Even so, accounting for the 30 minutes late (I remembered coz we flagged off with the 5km wave), at 1:25 that's quite an embarrassment.

Second one- just 2 weekends ago on 25th July. The weekend after I was back from Phuket. The SHAPE woman's run. The running T was from nike - a lime green one. I like to color but hoped the flimsy material would last. I did 01:22:39 as official timing. Disappointing! At least I managed to shave off 3 mins from last one .

Next one! Women's GE Run in nov. I must improve my timing !

Good night and good spirit! Yeah :)

I read an article yesterday, V-day article that is, on some enduring love. Beautiful quiet love story by people who life simple life. They are not glamorous celebrities, rich people staying in private property.

A simple life really.

That makes their love story even more beautiful and cherished.

I hope I will have a beautiful story of my own someday.

INTJ

Your Profile

Here are the results of the Personality Type Assessment. If you are like most people, you will be impressed with how accurately these paragraphs describe you. Introvert, iNtuitive, Thinker, Judger (INTJ) INTJs represent between 2 and 4% of the U.S. population INTJ’s are perfectionists. They tend to be exceptionally innovative, strategic, long-range thinkers who pursue excellence in everything they do. Their strong need for autonomy and achievement – and their faith in their own original ideas – drives them to reach their goals. Highly logical and astute, INTJ’s are quick to see the implications of new ideas and products, and will work hard to see their ideas translated into real-world results. They may set unrealistically high standards, and push other people almost as hard as they push themselves. Not particularly bothered by indifference or criticism, INTJs are among the most independent of all the types, and work productively alone for long periods of time. With original minds, great insight, and vision, INTJs are natural brainstormers. They are naturally theoretical and work well with complex and global concepts. INTJs Tend To Be: • Creative problem solvers & long-range strategic analysts • Innovative & adept at creating visionary new solutions & systems • Quick to understand complex, highly abstract concepts • Determined & hard working, even in the face of opposition • Logical & analytical decision-makers • Able to focus & concentrate deeply on issues Career Satisfiers All people are most satisfied and successful when using their natural talents in an environment that is consistent with their personality preferences and values. Research shows that INTJs are most satisfied by jobs that provide the following: • Opportunities to develop innovative solutions to complex problems • Responsibility that is focused on implementation of innovative ideas • Time & space to work independently with minimal interruptions • A work environment with high-performing, intellectual colleagues & few interpersonal squabbles • Advancement opportunities based on objective criteria & competencies